In Classic Maori society the male was liberally embellished, with fully tattooed decorated cheeks, chin, nose and forehead as well as buttocks and thighs. Tattooing was a sign of status and far from simply decorating the face, the Maori of rank did not acquire his 'real' face until he had been tattooed. Personal tattoo patterns were often remembered rather than facial characteristics.
Maori wahine with chinand lip moko, wearing a feather awarua-cape
Carved figure with fullface tattoo
Tattooing was a painful process, conducted with uhi (serrated chisel) and mallet, soot being rubbed into the open wound to provide colouring. The Maori technique differed from other Polynesian tattooing in that designs were actually cut and not just pricked into the flesh.
Learn more Here about the Maori.
3 comments:
Oh goodness, I think before
going thru the sheer torture
of it all, I,d rather paint
my face with colorful clay
as many black SAfricans do.
As for the Maoris - what a
work of Art, and bravery!!!
DRAGONFLY.
tattos are fascinating but I would never get one. I know quite a few people with this sort of art. The art of course in on the backs, arms and legs.
Ta Moko is actually experiencing a resurgence in New Zealand. There was a fascinating documentary on TVNZ about Ta Moko which highlighted a number of modern day wearers who included an NZ Police Officer who is currently working for the UN as a security consultant, a teacher getting her moko done to honour her father and her whakapapa (ancestry)and an MBA weilding business owner among others.
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