The urge to decorate and adorn our bodies is human nature but for some cultures their body art is more than just a decoration and for the Maori their Mokos (as the Maori Tattoo Designs are known) hold powerful meanings.
Maori tattoo designs which are among the most distinctive tattoos in modern society have their origins in the ancient tradition of body art practiced by the Maori people of New Zealand. The main distinguishing factor of Maori tattoo designs is that they are based on the spiral and are curvilinear as opposed to the straight-line geometrical designs of other Polynesian tattoos.
Reference to Maori tattoo designs were recorded as far back as the 1800's in the journals of Europeans who settled in New Zealand. During these times the tattoos were not only for decorative purposes but more to portray the legal identity of the individual. As the Maori were illiterate they used to draw the entire facial design when they signed legal documents. This meant that each of the Maori tattoo designs had to be unique as they were in effect the only way that the Maori could write their name.
For the Maori these tattoos symbolize spiritual rituals related to specific events in a person's life. The Maori men were only allowed to receive their first tattoo upon reaching adolescence. (In the photograph of Maori Warriors above the younger man has only his first tattoo whereas the older warrior has his entire face tattooed.) Only significant events that called for celebration would be rewarded any further additions to the original moko. Before receiving a Maori tattoo the person would have to fast. The entire lwi would be present at the ceremony itself and this would be celebrated with music and dancing. The only men who were not tattooed were commoners and slaves. All tribesmen had at least a face tattoo and many had tattoos on other parts of their bodies as well. The men believed that the moko made them both attractive to women and fierce warriors.
Women Maori were also tattooed but invariably only outlining and coloring of their lips and a few lines or spirals on their chins, cheeks or foreheads. (see comment by Mana Maori underneath hub)
Maori tattoo designs are meant to enhance the facial features and expressions of the individual and therefor follow the natural contours of the face or body. Tattoo designs for the legs and buttocks are similar to the face tattoos except that the curves and spirals are more distinct and bolder than the face tattoos.
The Maori tattoo designs traditionally followed set rules that often had unique variations depending on the location of the individuals. The variations were mainly due to the cultural complexities of the many lwi (see comment by Mana Maori underneath Hub) and clans native to New Zealand. Although the rules governing Maori tattoo designs were well known and practiced the designs remained specific to individuals, families, clans and tribes.
The Maori people ceased using full facial moko tattoos by the end of the 1800 but the practice of tattooing of other parts of the body was continued by the native people. The revival of tattooing in New Zealand during the past few decades is so heavily influenced by the Maori moko past that it is now recognized as a genre on its own.
The use of bold lines combined with the repetition of specific design motifs distinguishes Maori tattoo designs. What makes Moko so unique is the fact that not only were the faces tattooed but the skin was cut to make parallel ridges and grooved scars.
The Maori tattoo designs traditionally followed set rules that often had unique variations depending on the location of the individuals. The variations were mainly due to the cultural complexities of the many lwi (see comment by Mana Maori underneath Hub) and clans native to New Zealand. Although the rules governing Maori tattoo designs were well known and practiced the designs remained specific to individuals, families, clans and tribes.
The Maori people ceased using full facial moko tattoos by the end of the 1800 but the practice of tattooing of other parts of the body was continued by the native people. The revival of tattooing in New Zealand during the past few decades is so heavily influenced by the Maori moko past that it is now recognized as a genre on its own.
The use of bold lines combined with the repetition of specific design motifs distinguishes Maori tattoo designs. What makes Moko so unique is the fact that not only were the faces tattooed but the skin was cut to make parallel ridges and grooved scars.
No comments:
Post a Comment