Zak's Assignment

. Ta-Moko .

By Zak Rizki Renata

Sources

Primary Source 1 Primary Source 2

Date created unknown, appeared in Date created unknown, appeared in article Dec
article September 13 2016 12, 2018

Photographer Steven Langdon Photographer Unknown
Article Written by Michelle Duff Article written by Arthouse Tattoo

Shows a woman with Ta-Moko on her chin A man with Ta-Mako all over his face from his
chin to his forehead
https://www.vice.com/en/article/9k95ey/its-
transformative-maori-women-talk-about- https://www.arthousetattooaustin.com/ta-moko-
their-sacred-chin-tattoos maori-tattooing-history-controversy-and-a-bright-
future-ahead/

Secondary Source 1 Secondary Source 2

Museum Article Tourism Article

Data created unknown Data created Unknown
Article written by Museum Of NZ (Te Papa Article written by NZ Tourism
Tongarewa)
Website provides the significance of Ta-Moko,
Website provides information and history of how to get it, what they use and explains that Ta-
Ta-Moko with pictures and timestamps Moko in different places have different meaning.

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover- https://media.newzealand.com/en/story-

collections/read-watch-play/maori/tamoko- ideas/ta-moko-significance-of-maori-tattoos/

maori-tattoos-history-practice-and-meanings

Design

Rationale

(Definition)
Ta-Moko — Maori tattooing – is a unique display of cultural history and identity. It reflects the
individual’s whakapapa (ancestry) and personal history in Mori culture. It used to be a
significant indicator of social status, knowledge, skill, and marriage eligibility.

(Description and Quote)
Eastern Polynesians brought the art of Maori tattooing to New Zealand in 1769, when Captain
James Cook arrived, but Ta-Moko was slowly declining as an art form during the twentieth
century. Recently there has been a comeback in recent decades, and many Maori now wear it
as a symbol of cultural pride and purity. All Ta-Moko have meaning, usually a tribal bond that
reveals the wearer’s history and stories. One of the most popular Ta-Moko is done on one’s
head because the head is the most sacred part of the body. Wearing the moko on your face is a
clear statement about who you are and where you came from. Women also get Ta-Moko on
their faces. The moko of a lady is worn on the chin, as well as the forehead, upper lip, nostrils,
and throat on occasion.

(Secondary 1)
Tattooing in the Western and Eastern Pacific is done with large, toothed combs of varied widths
called uhi, which are dipped in black ink and pounded into the skin. Edward Jerningham
Wakefield of the New Zealand Company was present throughout the operation in 1840 and
commented: ‘The instruments used were not of bone, as they used to be; but a graduated set
of iron tools, fitted with handles like adzes… The man spoke to me with perfect nonchalance for
a quarter of an hour, although the operator continued to strike the little adzes into his flesh
with a light wooden hammer the whole time, and his face was covered with blood.’

(Secondary 2) This shows how important Ta-Moko is to the Polynesian Community, although
the steps are painful they are willing to show their culture to everyone in the world.

(Explanation)
In my design, I designed an example of a Ta-Moko. The design is used usually for your arm but
can be used anywhere. I chose this topic because I love how The Maori/ Polynesian community
are so passionate about their culture and want the world to desperately see their art and what
it means to them. It’s truly amazing when you think about their passion, dedication and their
pride. They want everyone to know their culture is to be looked at as a role model for the
whole world. As long as you're proud of your work, show it to the world with no care.