Moko

Moko is the term for Maori tattooing. I have seen more tattooing here than I have previously in my life. Most tattoos are quiet large, across the shoulder blades, on the arms or legs. The designs are intricate Maori patterns and are very beautiful and give an identity to a culture. Of particular interest or intrigue to me are the facial tattoos. I think this is because one would need to have very strong reasons to alter their face with tattoos and I admire the strength of their identity to their people in this way.
There is a difference between a moko and a tattoo. A tattoo is an art from done with needles and ink where as a moko is a scarring method done with bone and a pigment made from ashes leaving ridges in the skin. The head is seen as the most sacred part of the body. The purpose of the facial moko is to identify who you are. The design of the moko incorporates the story of your whakapapa (genealogy) and your rank. The more facial design the higher the rank. Men could receive a full face moko but women only wear moko on their chin and blacken their lips. Moko artists are very skilled craftsmen. They follow the lines of the face to accentuate facial expression.
Men stopped receiving moko around 1860 and the women in the early 1900's. The 1990's brought a resurgence of moko as a sign of cultural identity reflecting a revival of language and culture amongst the Maori. Today needles are often used to receive the moko but more and more people are returning to traditional methods. There are a few people around Wairoa with facial mokos. At first the site startled me - it is so different. Now, after spending some time participating in Maori activities I understand the deep cultural roots the wearer is identifying with and I respect that.

No worries - Kris