Yautja Greeting Habits: How Predators Say Hello

The Yautja follow a complex set of social customs that reflect their values of honor, strength, and respect. Their greetings varied depending on context, social standing, and the relationship between individuals. In this article, we examine examples from Predator comics and films that illustrate how Predators greeted one another and how they offered farewells. These customs were directed not only toward members of their own species but also toward other races.

The Yautja "Hello"

A basic greeting among Yautja hunters was often a direct and silent gesture, using only body language. This usually involved a nod of the head or a brief raising of the hand or arm. According to Alien vs. Predator: Civilized Beasts, the usual greeting is made by placing one hand on another's shoulder and shaking. However, there is a word for "hello" in the Yautja dictionary - "Gkaun-yte". This dictionary was put together from words from Aliens vs. Predator: Prey, a novel that greatly expanded the Predator mythos.

Welcoming With Honor

The Predators finally speak in Predator: Badlands, but don't directly say the word "Hello". Instead, when Dek Predator's father Njohrr arrives, the young Predator cuts his own hand with his wristblades and says, "I welcome you with honor". Blood is seen dripping from his closed hand. This seemed like a somewhat desperate gesture to impress his father, while his brother Kwei does not replicate it. Either way, the father is not impressed and orders Kwei to kill his own brother. Kwei refuses, and in the ensuring fight, Dek escapes Yautja Prime onboard his brothers ship.

Affectionate Greeting

Although Yautja culture emphasized strength and discipline, the species displayed subtle forms of affection. Ahab Predator from the epic Fire and Stone series became friendly with other species, firstly with a human named Galgo. When Ahab met a blooded Xenomorph/Android hybrid named Elden, he realized that Elden had become blooded by another group of Predators, having the blooding mark on his forehead. In a sign of respect, he put his forehead together with Elden's, showing sudden affection to the strange, but intelligent hybrid.

Welcoming A Returning Hunter

When a hunter returned from an extended journey or successful mission, clan members often greeted the individual with a more expressive exchange. Warriors gathered to meet the returning member, raising their weapons or fists to the air in collective recognition. This act demonstrated pride in the hunter’s achievements and reaffirmed the unity of the clan. This welcome is well shown in Aliens vs. Predator: War, when the acclaimed Light-Stepper Predator returned from a hunt with a Colonial Marine flag on his arm. Younger Predators cheered him, wanting to be just like him.

Welcoming A Challenge

A different type of greeting emerged when a Yautja acknowledged a rival or an impending contest. The gesture typically involved stepping forward and pointing a weapon or a clenched fist toward the challenger. This greeting signaled readiness and respect for the forthcoming trial. The Predators also seem to be welcome just the concept of a challenge, also cheering upon hardship and failure. A group of young Predators cheered upon their failed beginning of the hunt on Ryushi in the first Aliens vs. Predator comic. Their shuttle had just exploded, and they were left leaderless when Dachande, the hunt leader, became unconscious.

Saying Goodbye

Farewell gestures among the Yautja were brief and solemn. A departing hunter might receive a silent nod or a single touch to the shoulder from a close companion. Based on the dictionary, the word for "goodbye" is N’dhi-ja. A small sight of a goodbye came from Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, where Wolf Predator gave a small gesture of respect to the fallen Bull Predator. He touched Bull's bio-mask with his right hand and put his head down for a second.

Conclusion

The Yautja mostly use body language to give their greetings. Their gestures emphasized respect, hierarchy, trust, and the importance of shared struggle. In the old Yautja dictionary, the word for hello is "Gkaun-yte", and goodbye is "N’dhi-ja". However, a new Yautja language was invented for Predator: Badlands, and the Predators now talk a lot more.

Tag Categories: Yautja Society, Yautja Behaviour