Ta Moko - FAQs
The following frequently asked questions were developed by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Te Uhi a Mataora for audiences attending the event 'Ta Moko - A history on skin' held at Te Papa in March 2004.
1. What is a moko?
Moko is a name for Maori tattoo and the culture that surrounds it. It is the skin art form of the Maori.
2. What's the difference between moko and tattoo?
The word 'tattoo' comes from the English version of the Tahitian word 'tatu'. Tattoo is the tradition of marking the skin with ink and needles, whereas moko is the practice of scarring and marking the skin to reflect the whakapapa (genealogy) of the wearer. Moko can be seen as a cultural affirmation.
3. Do the symbols have a meaning? If so, what do they mean?
All the symbols have meaning - usually a tribal link that tells the background and stories of the wearer. Moko is a visual language that connects the wearer to their whakapapa.
4. Does getting a moko hurt?
Yes. Needles are forced into the skin to insert ink into the puncture, so it's inevitable that it will hurt, although some people have a higher tolerance for pain than others.
5. Are moko the same today as they were traditionally?
Most designs have a traditional base, but there have been many changes to what we traditionally did. We are now creating new traditions to sit alongside the old.
6. Why do you get moko on your bottom?
Aesthetically, the bottom is a very sensual area to look at. Traditionally, it links the back design to the designs on the backs of the legs. The spirals accentuate the roundness of the buttocks, enhancing the body.
7. Why do people get facial moko? Is it only men that get them?
A moko on the face is the ultimate statement of one's identity as a Maori. The head is believed to be the most sacred part of our body. To wear the moko on the face is to bear an undeniable declaration of who you are. Women wear moko on the face too. This moko is worn on the chin, as well as occasionally appearing on the forehead, upper lip, nostrils, and throat.
8. Why does facial moko look so scary?
Sometimes facial moko is unfairly read as intimidating, regardless of the wearer's intentions, but this can depend on the countenance of the wearer. The lines of a moko accentuate the lines of the face so emphasise the expressions.
9. Do you use electric needles or hand tools to create a moko?
Artists sometimes alternate between the two, depending on the requests of the clients. Many opt for the needle as it is faster and more precise. However, some people are choosing hand tools in order to make the process more in line with how it was done traditionally.
10. Do only Maori get moko?
Moko is a Maori tradition and the term is usually applied to skin markings that are done by and on Maori. Markings that are not moko but inspired by Maori design are sometimes called kirituhi (writing on skin).
11. How much does a moko cost?
That is a question for the wearer and the artist. Costs can vary according to the skill and expertise of the artist. The area of the body and skin type of the wearer may also be taken into account, as well as their age, financial position, and relationship to the artist.
12. What does moko mean today?
If the process is followed properly, moko continues to mean what it has always meant. It is a symbol of integrity, Maori identity, and prestige, as well as a reflection of whakapapa and history.
13. Are there restrictions on you once you get a moko?
That is up to the wearer. Some people opt to make lifestyle changes as part of the process of obtaining a moko, respecting their moko by choosing to do, or not do, certain things.
Learn more about the event Ta Moko - A history on Skin on the Te Papa website