Re: Re: Tattooing.

From: Jennifer Geard <geard_at_...>
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:49:32 +1300

Hi All,

Here's a chunk of information from a website on moko (Maori tattoo) at http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/971116/tamoko.html. It's interesting in light of our discussion of the social significance, ritual and tools of tattooing.

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When a person decides to have a moko done, (not a decision made lightly) they will discuss their thoughts with the elders, their parents, and the tohunga, discussions will be made as to whether the person has earnt the right to wear moko, do they understand what is involved in wearing moko? And do they realise that the experience will change the way they see life, and the way that life sees them, and most importantly, are they committed to wearing their tribal identity on their body for the rest of their lives?

With much discussion, (anywhere up to 5-6 months or more) the design process starts, most important is the tribal history, as the design has to be approved by the Kaumatua (elders), the design has to represent the tribal history, the persons identity, and their position in the tribe, so a lot of work is involved in the design process, and not all designs are approved, many carry improper significance.

Once the design is approved, the preparation begins, the tattooee usually fasts and spends the day before with their family and friends singing karakias (prayers), the tattooing process is usually carried out either in a marae (tribal land) or the person's home, so all the family can be present to support, sing karakia, and retain a spirtual feeling and environment.

The tattooing process is almost always carried out in one session, with the person occasionally going into shock, but due to the spiritual experience, this can be perceived as part of the ritual to some.

The traditional form of moko was always applied with traditional tools, a rake like instrument, usually made of teeth or bone, and tap into the skin, then another flat edged blade used to tap in the dye, the dye was not applied directly with first strikes, as modern tattooing is done, the skin was first carved, then dye was forced into the cut flesh, creating not only a tattoo but a scarred chiseled effect as well, the tools used were uhi (flat blade) uhi matarau (comb chiseled blade) paatuketuke (wooden mallet) tae (dye), the modern tool of moko is understandably the tattoo machine, (mihini moko), this form of tattooing is widely accepted by the elders, as ta moko simply means to strike.

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There's a growing tendency to distinguish between "moko", with full social context, and "skin art", which doesn't have that social context. This sort-of matches John Hughes' distinction between sacred tattoos and bored-shepherd tattoos.

But back to the original question: are tattoos always created in the real world? Are they sometimes the marks you bring back from heroquests?

Cheers,
  Jennifer

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Jennifer Geard