Maori Face Tattooing

What is it?

Maori face tattooing is one of the most recognizable and well-known cultural practices around the world. In fact, these face tattoos are so distinctive and bold that even people of surrounding cultures have attempted to adopt the practice. But what exactly is this practice? Maori face tattooing, or Ta moko is the process of tattooing dark ink into the face. The end result is called moko.

[Ta moko] involves the chiseling of human skin and the insertion of pigment, and is related to tatau, the Pacific tradition of puncturing and staining the flesh. (Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia, (2006), pg 121)

This process results in very unique patterns primarily on the face and upper bodies of the Maori people.

Where did this practice come from?

It is natural to ask such a question of such a unique practice. Interestingly, the origin of moko is much less distinct. In fact, it is shrouded in myth and mystery. The most widely accepted explanation tells the story of a man named Mataora. The story goes that this young man was married to a young princess of the underworld. One day he beat the princess and she ran away from him and back to the underworld. After enduring many challenges and trials, he arrived in the underworld. However, his face paint was dirty after his long journey. The princess and her family made fun of him for his unkempt appearance. After much begging and pleading, she eventually forgave him and their love was restored. It was then that the princess's father taught Mataor the process of Ta moko. He then returned with his bride to the overworld and brought the practice with him. ((Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia, (1997), pg 109)

Why does it matter?

The cultural importance and effect of ta moko is widespread. Men and women have different styles of moko tattooed into their faces. For a man, the ta moko process began as a puberty rite and continued throughout his life. Often men would have their entire faces and upper bodies covered by the time they were old. Women tended to have smaller moko on their chin. For both men and women,

A moko was an identity card that chronicled a person’s ancestral and life history, as well as their tribal affiliation. It indicated the whakapapa or line of ancestors a person descended from and the land to which they were connected. A moko also carried values such as loyalty and commitment from the past to those in the future. (Martins, Kim, (2019))

image source: broadly-images.vice.com/images/2016/09/13/its-transformative-mori-women-talk-about-their-sacred-chin-tattoos-body-image-1473728422.jpg?resize=1575:*

In addition to being a big part of Maori identity and values, ta moko was also a form of art in Maori culture. Traditionally, the moko was made using chisels and combs made of bone or wood to puncture the skin. With the development of steel and iron, these combs and chisels transformed into finer tools of art. The moko reflected this change in what tools were used. Moko became much more detailed and intricate. Patterns with finer lines were able to be tattooed with greater accuracy.

But perhaps the biggest shift in practice was the adoption of needle tattooing during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The use of grouped needles became the most common form of tattooing throughout the world during this period, and it was the form most commonly applied to pūkauae, the female chin tattoo, in the early 20th century. It’s still the most ubiquitous form practised in the world today. (tepapa.govt.nz, 2019)

In recent years, after experiencing a decline in popularity, the efforts of the Maori people has caused a resurgence in ta moko. An effort to preserve the traditions of the Maori people has caused moko to begin reappearing across the world. This has led to an interesting clash of cultures as some of these distantly Maori people are now integrated into modern society. It is important to remember the significance of the ta moko tradition to the Maori people and its symbol of identity around the world.

Learn More

Specific pattern meanings: http://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/tattoo-styles/maori-tattoo/

A modern perspective: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9k95ey/its-transformative-maori-women-talk-about-their-sacred-chin-tattoos

Adoption in other cultures: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44220574

Ta moko history, practice, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdB96TMJu74&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=MuseumofNewZealandTePapaTongarewa

Adaptation from traditional to modern methods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD9wUtY0wAU&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=MuseumofNewZealandTePapaTongarewa

Works Cited

Martins, Kim. “Traditional Maori Tattoo of New Zealand.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, 6 June 2019, https://www.ancient.eu/article/1393/traditional-maori-tattoo-of-new-zealand/.

Nikora, Linda Waimarie, Mohi Rua, and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku. "In your face: wearing Moko-Maori facial marking in today's world." Tatau/Tattoo: Embodied Art and Cultural Exchange c. 1760-2000 Conference. 2003.

Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia. "Mata Ora: chiseling the living face—dimensions of Maori tattoo." Sensible objects: colonialism, museums and material culture. Oxford and New York: Berg (2006): 121-40.

Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia. "Ta moko: Maori tattoo." https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10289/798/?sequence=1. (1997): 109-114.

tepapa.govt.nz, "Tā moko | Māori tattoos: history, practice, and meanings." Museam of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 2019.

image source: zealandtattoo.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/maori-tribe-face-tattoo-452x300.jpg