Discover the history and practice of tāmoko, and find out why the lines of a moko carved in skin represent much more than a tattoo.
The Western and Eastern Pacific method of tattooing is based on the use of broad toothed combs of varying widths called uhi, dipped in dark pigment, and struck into the skin with small mallets known as tā. The teeth of the comb pierce the skin and deposit the pigment. Māori brought this method of tattooing with them from Eastern Polynesia.
tāmokoapply traditional tattoo Māori | Noun (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.
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This process was followed by the application of small, toothed uhi combs that applied the pigment. This method of tāmoko applied to the face is a form of scarification, which in practice is very similar to wood carving, and is characterised by deep grooved furrows stained with dark pigment.
The meaning and significance of these design motifs appears to be a complex interplay between high aesthetic and a visual language that underscores artistic excellence, identity and role.
nosenose Māori | Noun , cheek, and lower jaws, and the curvilinear rays on the forehead and from the nose to the mouth. The remaining elements were carefully chosen to accentuate and enhance the individual features, giving meaning to the expression Mataora, the living face.
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Sydney Parkinson, Head of Otegoowgoow. Son of a New Zealand Chief, the curiously tataoued. Plate 21. From the book: A journal of a voyage to the South Seas, in his Majesty’s ship the Endeavour, 1784. Te Papa (RB000268/109a)
The last men to be tattooed during this period died during the 1920s, but women from various districts continued to be tattooed through to the 1920s.
The tattooing process itself changed early in the contact period, and certainly by the 1840s metals started to replace bone in the manufacture of uhi, tattooing chisels, and combs.
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One especially interesting account of the use of metal uhi occurred with the tattooing of Iwikau Te Heuheu of Ngāti Tūwharetoa (Taupō district) in 1841. The operation was witnessed by Edward Jerningham Wakefield of the New Zealand Company, who commented:
‘The instruments used were not of bone, as they used formerly to be; but a graduated set of iron tools, fitted with handles like adzes… The man spoke to me with perfect nonchalance for quarter of an hour, although the operator continued to strike the little adzes into his flesh with a light wooden hammer the whole time, and his face was covered with blood.’ [Edward Jerningham Wakefield.
But perhaps the biggest shift in practice was the adoption of needle tattooing during the late 19th century and early 20th century. The use of grouped needles became the most common form of tattooing throughout the world during this period, and it was the form most commonly applied to pūkauae, the female chin tattoo, in the early 20th century. It’s still the most ubiquitous form practised in the world today.
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The ever-decreasing generation of kuia moko kuia moko tattooed female/women elders inspired a young group of artists and carvers following the protest movement of the 1970s to reclaim moko as a unique expression of Māori identity.
Combined with the interest of academics like Michael King and the continued popularity of the published works of Gottfried Lindauer and Charles Frederick Goldie, and colonial artists like George French Angas, it helped reawaken the interest of a new generation in this venerable and unique art form.
The 1980s saw the rebirth of moko, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it really started to gain any real currency as an authentic artistic form and contemporary cultural practice.
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But it really hit its stride in the 2000s. In the course of a single generation, a dedicated group of determined and courageous tohunga tāmoko (tattoo experts) and tattoo practitioners reclaimed and revitalised the cultural practice of tāmoko. A continuously growing demand from young Māori and not-so-young Māori has ensured that moko is now an increasingly seen and accepted part of mainstream New Zealand.
It’s important to note that it’s impossible to discuss moko in contemporary New Zealand society without mentioning the hugely significant role that our Sāmoan whanaunga
whanaungarelatives Māori | Noun , our Pacific cousins, have played in revitalising tāmoko, especially pūhoro pūhoro thigh tattoos , in generously sharing their knowledge and mentoring Māori in the practice of customary tatauTattoo styles and techniques vary greatly and those who consider their first (or next) tattoo may be wondering how to choose the best style for their idea. We shall explain the basic features of the most popular tattoo styles so that you can decide which one – traditional or unconventional – is the right for you. Tattoo artists come up with amazing ideas and the best you can do is find an experienced professional who will give you not only a suggestion for your tattoo design, but which is the best to place it – arm, leg, shoulder, back or foot – so that you do not have issues like color loss or problems with healing. Tattoo studios will show you catalogues with different suggestions and if you do not feel certain about the style and design of your tattoo, you should take your time, talk to the artist and discuss with him your ideas.
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Old School, also known as Traditional or American Traditional, is the most famous of all tattoo styles, and when you hear the word “tattoo” this is, probably, the first type that comes to your mind. Old school tattoo style is characterized with bold black outlines, the use of limited colors (typically those are primary colors – red, green, yellow, white, blue) and less details, usually without shades. This style appeared in the 18-19th century when sailors who visited the islands of Polynesia saw tattooed people for the first time. Sailors, constantly being in the power of the wind and sea and depending on the mercy of nature, were very superstitious as life in the sea was very harsh and only strong men survived. They believed that the drawings on their body will protect them from falling overboard or from a shipwreck, etc. One of the most famous traditional tattoo artists who is also considered the founding father of this style is Norman Keith Collins, also known as “Sailor Jerry”. His motto “Good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good” is still relevant nowadays. Old school tattoo style remains popular and many masters work exclusively in this classic style. The traditional Old school style imagery, which stood the test of time, is closely connected to the ocean and nautical imagery and is often referred to as nautical tattoos. The most popular designs include roses, daggers, hearts, chain anchors, mermaids, pinup female figures, dolphins, skulls, ships, swallows and sparrows, eagles, banners, etc. Those can be surrounded by a motto, names or a significant date.
Neo-Traditional Tattoo style appeared as a development of Old School style and began in the 1980’s . The main features of Neo-Traditional style are the clear contour lines, precise shading, more realistic depth, more detail and color. This style is performed in both color and black colors. Neo-traditional looks more beautiful and brighter compared to Old School style and may merge different styles together in order to create as unique and custom images as possible. Typically, the imagery is two-dimensional and includes the old school themes, but new characters, such as cartoons, appeared and the style features mainly portrait-like images of women and personified animals, skulls, insects, angels, flames, there may be birds – usually crows or owls, animals – wolves, foxes, deer, etc. The images are clear, not as realistic as in the realism style, but they are recognizable. Various signatures, banners and sayings can be included and they fully correspond to the style as the text is done in bright graffiti-style fonts. The concept of neo-traditional differs and within the style there are some varieties – cartoon characters, surrealistic pictures and animals. For example, a traditional bird can carry a package with a motto written on it or a cross can be wrapped with a ribbon with an inscription. Chinese or Japanese symbols are not typical for the style but inscriptions in English and Latin are popular.
New School tattoo style began to develop in the 80’s with the development of new techniques and modern equipment and simultaneously with the rave movement. This style does not have any strict rules and limitations. It is all about free-styling and getting away from traditionalism, presenting unique patterns and custom ideas that haven’t been used before. The main feature is the manifestation of the greatest possible imagination, humor and abstraction. New School tattoo style has many similar elements with graffiti and hip-hop styles – jagged edges and bubbly lettering. The style of tattoos and technique of performance have moved far ahead in terms of ingenuity and have become more vivid, colorful and beautiful. The images are outlined with black contours, and executed in bright colors, the figures are quite large and the
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