Tā moko for men and women Traditionally, men received Mataora on their face - as a symbol of nobility. As māori believe the head is the most sacred part of the body,
It is our right as wahine Māori to wear Moko Kauae and it is our decision to make. For many this decision is made in the context of whānau, hapū or iwi, for others it is a decision made in line with our fundamental right to wear the symbols of our ancestors.
In the past, Ta Moko tattoos traditionally represented particular Maori tribes but for those of different heritage/ancestry – this is not the case. However, the tattoo can have a range of other legitimate meanings, such as your family (physical lives), prosperity, travel, strength, your career path etc.
A moko can only be done by a Māori for a Māori. No respected Tā Moko artist (called Tohunga Tā Moko) would do one on a non-Māori, since it is strictly reserved for people with Māori whakapapa (genealogy). Māori-style tattoos, on the other hand, are considered a different art form and are referred to as Kirituhi.
I use the word 'privilege' deliberately as it reminds us that any Pākehā women seeking to or wearing moko kauae do not do so as a right, they do so as a privilege. Moko kauae is the right of Māori women.
Many individuals identify as both Māori and Pākehā (New Zealand European). However, there are varying extents to which these individuals possess characteristics thought to underpin Māori identity, such as knowledge of whakapapa (genealogy), tikanga (customs), or te reo Māori (the Māori language).
One minute I belong as Pākehā — the next I feel like I don't fit in at all. Sometimes I feel like I have to choose between the two, as though belonging is a mutually exclusive affair — and that it isn't possible to be both Māori and Pākehā at the same time.
If you have Māori blood, and you are proud of your culture and identify as Māori, then who cares what colour your skin is? For example, I have blond hair, blue eyes and pale skin, but I identify strongly with my Māori culture. So yes, you are still Māori if you are white.
The 3 lines tattooed on the chin is a common sight in many cultures. In some societies, the lines represent the three stages of a woman's life: maiden, mother, and crone. In others, the lines stand for the three elements of nature: earth, air, and water.
The term moko traditionally applied to male facial tattooing, while kauae referred to moko on the chins of women. There were other specific terms for tattooing on other parts of the body. Eventually 'moko' came to be used for Māori tattooing in general.
If you consider it to be a „Māori styled tribal tattoo“, then yes. If you know the cultural significance and history behind a Moko and have permission by a Whanau for example it might look different. If you're not of Māori descent it will be generally frowned upon though.
The term moko traditionally applied to male facial tattooing, while kauae referred to moko on the chins of women. There were other specific terms for tattooing on other parts of the body. Eventually 'moko' came to be used for Māori tattooing in general.
Yeah, anyone can get a tattoo of any design they like pretty much. Whether or not it will really be a true tā moko depends on how the wearer relates to, or lives, their wairua, their whakapapa, their self-view in relation to where and what they have come from.
Mataora & Kauae are reservedly for those of Maori descent only. To wear the markings of your ancestors proudly, it is necessary to also understand the history of these markings.
Why are moko so important to Maori? Moko are carved into the skin using chisels. They are a sacred tradition, denoting a person's links with their family and cultural identity.
For New Zealand Māori women, the moko kauae, or traditional female chin tattoo, is considered a physical manifestation of their true identity. It is believed every Māori woman wears a moko on the inside, close to their heart; when they are ready, the tattoo artist simply brings it out to the surface.
The three dots tattoo represents “Mi Vida Loca,” which translates to “my crazy life.” It often means the struggles of the underprivileged and the minorities. It's a way of saying, “my life is crazy, but I'm thankful for it,” or “life may be crazy, but I'm still here.”
The number 333 can represent many things, from the Trinity to the birth of Christ. It can also symbolize the connection between mind, body, and spirit. For some people, the number 333 is a reminder to always stay positive and hopeful, no matter what life throws their way.
111 - The Number of New Beginnings The number 111 is often associated with new beginnings, fresh starts, and a positive outlook on the future. Getting this number tattooed on you can serve as a reminder to let go of the past and embrace new opportunities.
The dark-brown eyes of the Maori are a Polynesian characteristic; but though well-shaped noses and lips are seen, yet these features often show the effect of Melanesian admixture in thickness and protrusion of the lips, flatness of nose, and widespread nostrils.
An iwi registration document is the primary and preferred method the University of Otago uses to verify your Māori ancestry. If you have multiple iwi you only need to provide a registration document for one of your iwi. If you are not registered with your iwi you will need to apply directly to them.
If you know the name of your iwi or hapū, you can start by contacting your iwi rūnanga/the mandated iwi organisation and asking for information on those that share your family name. Google is your friend. The kūmara vine works fast – you might be in touch with someone quicker than you think.
Being Māori is so much more than blood quantum. In New Zealand, many believed there are no full-blood Māori left. It's often been used by critics of Māori who seek equal rights and sovereignty. My results, at least, show there is one full-blooded Māori contrary to that belief.
However, The Concise Māori Dictionary (Kāretu, 1990) defines the word Pākehā as 'foreign, foreigner (usually applied to white person)', while the English–Māori, Māori–English Dictionary (Biggs, 1990) defines Pākehā as 'white (person)'.
Pakeha, which is a Maori term for the white inhabitants of New Zealand, was in vogue even prior to 1815. Its original meaning and origin are obscure, but the following are possible origins, the first being the most probable: From pakepakeha: imaginary beings resembling men.