Maori Tattoo: Ta Moko

               Have you ever wondered why Maori people have tattoos on their face? This type of art is called Ta Moko, it was brought from Polynesia and it is a highly sacred tradition. Maori consider the head the most important part of the body, that's why during adolescence they tattoed their face as a part of an initiation ritual.

"Ta Moko was worn by both men and women. It was applied to the face and buttocks of men, and to the chin, lips and shoulders of women.  Depending on their ranking, they may also have Ta Moko on their face. Occasionally women would put small markings over their faces or shoulders as a sign that someone close to them had died". Australian Museum, 2012.

 Maori have another explanation: "The legend of Mataora" 

           It says that there was a young warrior called Mataora, who fell in love with the princess of the underworld, called Niwareka. Niwareka came above ground to marry Mataora, but Mataora mistreated Niwareka, which made her return to the underworld. Mataora, sick with guilt about the way he treated his wife pursued her to the underworld, only to be greeted by her relatives who laughed at his ragged appearance and smudged face paint. Mataora apologized before Niwareka’s family, and this act won Niwareka back. Before returning above ground, it was said that Niwareka’s father, the king of the underworld taught Mataora the art of ta moko. Mataora brought back these skills to his people and that was how the Maori came to have their distinct type of tattoo (Zealand Tattoo).

               These tattoos are unique and very painful. Each person chooses the design of its tattoo, that's why no two tattoos are alike. They don't use needles, they use knives and chisels made of shark teeth and the ink is made of burnt wood. Even though this is not an usual practice anymore, there are people who still do it.

               Most people might consider this an old-fashioned tradition, but I think this is an intertesting methd to keep their traditions alive and to be true to their culture. What do you think?