CONTROVERSY AND THE NEW ZEALAND MOKO ... - cdgd34102a12

One of the most visible and spiritualaspects of Maori culture is the moko, ortraditional tattoo. This beautiful artworkhas enjoyed a renaissance in recent years,with both Maori and non-Maori receiving iton their skin, as well as using it as inspirationin other artistic ventures. Traditionalmethods and purposes are often lost orignored in these modern interpretations,leading to controversy.The moko is a sacred part of Maoritradition. It could only be given by certainmen, who had considerable prestige andtraining, and the act of giving the moko toa person was surrounded by tapu (a statesimilar to holiness or sacredness, or theforbidden). There were many rules governingthe act, including that the recipientcould not talk to others who were not alsoreceiving the moko, and could not eat withhis or her hands during the process.Tattooing the moko was a long andpainful process, particularly as the markswere not made with a needle, but with achisel which left a grove in the skin. It wasconsidered part of the ritual, and a demonstrationof the recipient’s mana (spiritualstrength or courage) that he or she notdisplay any discomfort while their skin wasbeing broken.The design of each moko was unique,and although much of the symbolism islost now; it would usually display the tribeand status of the wearer. It might also tellof his battle wounds, or ancestors or in thewoman’s case, her right to marry, or herjob, such as midwife. It also told of theplain fact that the wearer had been given6 ORIGINKSPRING 2012 7