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Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo

In the traditional Māori world, the moko, the facial or body tatoo, was a sign of great mana and status. Male warriors wore elaborate tatoos on their faces and bodies; women took more delicate chin tatoos. After almost dying out in the twentieth century, Māori tatooing is now experiencing a powerful revival, with many young Māori wearing the moko as a spectacular gesture of racial pride. Man Moko is a magnificent look at the moko, from pre-European times to the present day. It examines the use of tatooing by traditional and contemporary Māori and links it to other aspects of Māori culture. Gender issues are considered along with tatooing techniques both old and new. The book features case studies of modern Māori who have made a personal decision to be tatooed; the role and status of tatooers; and exploitation of the moko in popular culture around the world by figures such as rock singers and football players. Mau Moko is superbly illustrated with paintings, photographs, and drawings from traditional times and by new color photography by Becky Nunes commissioned for the book.

  • Format
  • hardcover
  • Pages
  • 224
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780824832537
  • Release date
  • 2008