Moko Ink

Moko. n. tattooing of the face or body. The reason why we wore the tattoo on our face was to show everyone who we are... Family, Tribe, Status etc. Using a complex language of marks, made in ink and carved into the skin, one could determine anothers identity.

 

 

Tā Moko

The author advises that the information provided here is sub-tribally sourced and should not be regarded as rules or regulations pertaining to all tribes and sub-tribes of Aotearoa. The concept of "Māori" people is only 150+ years old whereas much of this information pertains to concepts and times prior to this era.

 

Tattoo Artist

THE JOURNALS of Europeans who settled New Zealand in the 1800s record that the intricate facial tattoos of the native Māori served not only as decoration but as the individual's legal identity as well. In effect, the Māoris WERE their tattoos.