Ta moko , often referred to as Maori tattoo, is the traditional permanent marking of the body and face by Maori. But ta moko is distinct from tattoo in that the skin is carved by uhi chisels instead of being punctured with needles. This leaves the skin with textured grooves, rather than the smooth surface of a normal tattoo. Ta moko is a core component of Maori culture and an outward expression of commitment and respect. In the past two decades there has been a significant resurgence in the practice of ta moko as a sign of cultural identity. It is customary for men to wear moko on their faces, buttocks, thighs and arms, whereas women usually wear a moko on the chin and lips.
Some rights reserved. Moko tattoos were traditionally applied to the face and body. The moko could cover a man's whole face, the patterns communicating information such as social standing and family history. Credit: James Heremaia james jamesfoto. Download image from visuals.
Maori face tattoo: It is OK for a white woman to have one?
The marks in general are spirals drawn with great nicety and even elegance. One side corresponds with the other. The marks on the body resemble foliage in old chased ornaments, convolutions of filigree work, but in these they have such a luxury of forms that of a hundred which at first appeared exactly the same no two were formed alike on close examination. Receiving moko constituted an important milestone between childhood and adulthood, and was accompanied by many rites and rituals. Apart from signalling status and rank, another reason for the practice in traditional times was to make a person more attractive to the opposite sex.
However, the tattoo can have a range of other legitimate meanings, such as your family physical lives , prosperity, travel, strength, your career path etc. Kiri means Skin and Tuhi means Art, we generally tattoo the body and arm areas on our customers so it will be defined as Kiri Tuhi rather than Ta Moko was reserved for the face only. Main Korus coming off the Manawa Lines are used represent people and people groups. When you add every koru off your Manawa line you can be adding the important people in your life journey , Mothers , Fathers, Grandparents, Children , siblings , Loved ones friends family and so on. Hikuaua: Representative of Taranaki a region of New Zealand as well as prosperity, mackerel tail.