Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo

Mau Moko: A Journey Through Māori Tattoo

Taia o moko, hei hoa matenga mou … Take your moko, as a friend forever …

In the traditional Māori world, the moko, or facial and body tattoo, was integral to everyday life; nearly everyone bore some patterning on their skin. Men sported elaborate facial designs, while women’s were typically more refined, and both sexes often displayed extensive body art.

After nearly disappearing in the twentieth century, Māori skin art is now…