What do moko tattoos mean?
A Maori chin tattoo represents their dedication to their tribe and their culture. It also represents social status, as it is highly significant to wear this kind of design on your chin. Called a moko, this tattoo is a symbol of respecting a women’s ancestors and celebrate their identity as a Maori.
What is the meaning behind moko?
1. (noun) grandchild – a term of address used by an older person for a grandchild or a young child. Short for mokopuna.
Can anyone get a moko tattoo?
“You can only have it if you have a genealogy that is Maori. “It reflects who we are and it represents your family, your sub-tribes and tribes.” Associate Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell at the University of Waikato – who is also tattooed – says the moko has become an important symbol of post-colonialism.
What does the Ta Moko mean to the Maori?
Tā moko is the permanent marking or “tattoo” as traditionally practised by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Who is the god of Ta Moko?
Moko comes from the Maori god of earthquake and volcanic activity, Ruau-MOKO. It was handed down from one generation to the next and eventually arrived at a human called Mataora. He then brought it back to the human world and it has flourished ever since.
Can you design your own Ta Moko?
Your original hand-crafted Ta Moko designs (Maori Tattoo designs) can be taken to a reputable Tattoo Artist in your own city where you can have your Maori Tattoo designs applied to your skin.
Can I get a Māori tattoo if I’m not Māori?
Many artists still use the term Kirituhi when tattooing non-Maori recipients. Kirituhi, however has allowed non-Maori tattooers all over the world to imitate traditional Maori tattooing, using the label Kirituhi so as not to cause offence.
Are Māori tattoos religious?
Maori tattoo is very sacred Due to the sacred nature of the Maori tattoo, those who were undergoing the process, and those involved in the process, could not eat with their hands or talk to anyone aside from the other people being tattooed.
Who can have a moko?
In less than one generation that thinking has been largely discarded, as part of a deliberate “decolonising” of those perceived barriers – and as a result the practice of moko kauae is widespread, with a general consensus that the only eligibility criterion is whakapapa – if you are a Māori woman, you have the right to …
Why do Māori have chin tattoo?
As māori believe the head is the most sacred part of the body, facial tattoos have special significance. Moko kauae – are received by women on their lips and chin. A moko kauae represents a woman’s whānau and leadership within her community, recognising her whakapapa, status, and abilities.
What is the difference between moko and Ta Moko?
Moko has in recent years been divided into two main branches; Ta Moko and Kirituhi. Ta Moko is primarily for those of Maori blood and descent, while Kirituhi is for those of non Maori heritage.
What is a Tunnit chin tattoo?
The ancient tradition of Inuit tattoos is seeing a modern revitalization across the Circumpolar Arctic. Nordlum is no regular tattoo artist. She practices the art of Inuit tattoos, which is called Kakinniit or Tunniit in Inuktitut. It’s an ancient tradition that is seeing a modern revitalization.
Can a Pākehā get a moko?
“Not only is it not okay to make a race-based decision in applying moko kauae, but it is a requirement. In my view the gifting of moko kauae to Pākehā is not the right of any Māori, be their wāhine or tāne, irrespective of what has gone before.” Moko artist Anikaaro Harawira said moko kauae was a taonga to Māori.