Ta Moko: Māori Traditional Tattooing

Ta Moko: Māori Traditional Tattooing

Intangible Heritage

Ta Moko is the traditional tattooing practice of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), distinguished by intricate spiral patterns carved into the skin. Unlike decorative tattoos, Ta Moko is deeply symbolic, representing one's genealogy, social status, tribal affiliations, and personal achievements. Historically, the practice involved chiseling the skin with uhi (carving tools), leaving textured grooves. While Ta Moko declined during colonization, it has seen cultural revival since the late 20th century, especially among younger Māori reclaiming their identity. Today, Ta Moko is considered a living expression of Indigenous knowledge, cultural resilience, and ancestral storytelling.

Māori tattoo artists (Tohunga Ta Moko)

is51102025

Before 14th century – present

zhangdi

English

Intangible

1362

25/03/2025

25/03/2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tā_moko

Wikipedia; Te Papa Tongarewa – Museum of New Zealand

current,-41.2865,174.7762;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tā_moko

TEXT

Ta Moko has been practiced by the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) for centuries, with its origins dating back to pre-European times, likely before the 14th century. It was traditionally performed using chisels (uhi) to carve permanent patterns into the skin, resulting in textured, three-dimensional tattoos unique to each individual. The designs conveyed deep meanings, representing a person's genealogy (whakapapa), social rank, tribal affiliations, and life experiences. Ta Moko was an important rite of passage, particularly for men entering adulthood and warriors gaining status, as well as for women on the chin and lips to signify identity and maturity. During the 19th and 20th centuries, colonization and cultural suppression led to a sharp decline in the practice of Ta Moko. However, since the late 20th century, there has been a powerful cultural resurgence. Contemporary Māori artists and communities are reclaiming and revitalizing Ta Moko as a form of resistance, identity, and cultural pride. Today, Ta Moko is widely recognized as a symbol of Māori resilience and a living tradition passed down across generations.

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