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Tā moko is the permanent marking or "tattoo" as traditionally practised by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. It is one of the five main Polynesian tattoo styles (the other four are Marquesan , Samoan, Tahitian and Hawaiian).
Tāmoko is worn on the face and body but the protocols for facial tattoos differ according to gender. Men receive moko kanohi on the entire face or just the lower half of the face, whereas women wear moko kauae on the chin and sometimes both the chin and lips.
Māori brought this method of tattooing with them from Eastern Polynesia. As the art and practice of tāmoko (also known as tā moko) developed in isolation in Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori pioneered the use of smaller, narrower uhi without teeth that cut grooves through the skin.
The focal point of Maori tattooing was generally the face. Men had full facial tattoos, while women only had their chin, lips and nostrils tattooed. Some Maori also had other parts of the body tattooed, such as their back, buttocks and legs.
For the Māori, the face is the most sacred part of the body, and thus facial tattoos, particularly for men, are a high honor. Men traditionally wore intricate Ta Moko designs on their faces, thighs, and buttocks, while women often adorned their lips and chin.
Story: Tā moko – Māori tattooing. The tattooing practised across Polynesia developed unique forms in New Zealand, with deeply grooved scars and spiral motifs. While facial moko became less common after European settlement, from the late 20th century there was a renaissance of both the full-face moko worn by men and the moko kauae (chin ...
16 gru 2023 · Tā Moko, the facial tattooing of the Māori, carries a history rich with spiritual depth and social importance. This article illuminates why these markings are far more than just skin-deep artistry, revealing identity and heritage to those who wear them. Discover the story behind each line and curve.
