Tattoos
have existed for eons and are one of the oldest forms of art. Due to pain,
persistence and drawing of blood, early humans have given it a mystical
significance (Tattoo Star). Many ancient tribes used tattoos to show
membership in a clan, rank, or even as a coming of age ritual. One tribe that I
find very interesting is the Maori people of New Zealand. Both men and women received tattoos in various
parts of the body that conveyed different meanings. What’s interesting is that though
this ritual has declined in the 20th century, it has seen a revival
in recent years.
The traditional tribal tattoos of
the Maoris are called “Ta Moko” or facial tattoos, but the men also received
bold spiral tattoos on their legs and buttocks (Phatak, Omkar). The
placement of their tattoos expressed their clan membership, knowledge or rank.
Tattooing for the Maori man was a long process that started in adolescence and
continued to adulthood.
The women of the tribe, on the other
hand, received Ta Mokos limited to the lips and chin. However, they also
received tattoos on the back, legs, and buttocks. Their tattoos mainly conveyed
their rank, but it could also mean she was arranged to be married or it could
mean her membership to the tribe.
In the ancient times, chisels made
from animal bones were used to apply the ink through slits in the skin. The ink
was from animal sources and contained the processed remains of a fungus infected
caterpillar (Phatak, Omkar). Because tribal Maori tattoos have seen a
revival in recent years, it is fortunate for the Maori people of today that
tattoos are done with modern tattooing techniques. Though tattoos are a form of
art for a lot of people, it is much more meaningful for the Maori. It is an
expression of cultural pride and integrity; it shows who they are and where the
come from (Maori Culture).
Nice post here, and you also have a good selection of sources that you use to describe the Maori tattoo culture. This is one of those posts in which I think you really need to add images right into your blog post. Maori tattoos are quite striking; using them in combination with descriptions would really draw in reader interest.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about something you said above: why is it that Maori tattooing dropped in popularity? Why did it see a recent resurgence?