Ta moko Tattoo Maori Moko in 1908 Ta moko is the permanent body and face marking by Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. It is distinct from tattoo and tatau in that the skin was carved by uhi (chisels) rather than punctured. This left the skin with grooves, rather than a smooth surface. It was brought by Maori from their Eastern Polynesian homelands, and the implements and methods employed were similar to those used in other parts of Polynesia (see Buck 1974:296, cited in References below). In pre-European Maori culture, many if not most high-ranking persons received moko, and those who went without them were seen as persons of lower social status. The receiving of moko constituted an important marker between childhood and adulthood, and was accompanied by many rites and rituals. Apart from signalling status and rank, another reason for the practice in traditional times was to make a person more attractive to the opposite sex. Men generally received moko on their faces, buttocks (called raperape) and thighs (called puhoro). Women usually wore moko on their lips (kauae) and chins. Other parts of the body known to have moko on it include the foreheads, buttocks, thighs, neck and backs of women, and backs, stomachs and calves of men. Instruments Used Originally tohunga-ta-moko (moko specialists) used a range of uhi (chisels) made from albatross bone which were hafted onto a handle, and struck with a mallet. The pigments were made from the awheto caterpillar for the body colour, and ngarehu (burnt timbers) for the blacker face colour. The pigment was stored in ornate vessels named oko, which were often buried when not in use. The oko were handed on to successive generations. Men were predominantly the moko specialists, although King records a number of women during the early 20th century who also took up the practice. Changes King (see below) talks about changes which evolved in the late 19th century when needles came to replace the uhi as the main tools. This was a quicker method, less prone to possible health risks, but the feel of the moko changed to smooth. Women continued receiving moko through the 20th century, but moko on men stopped around the 1860s in line with changing fashion and acceptance by Pakeha (white New Zealanders). Ta moko Today Since 1990 there has been a resurgence in the practice of moko for both men and women, as a sign of cultural identity and a reflection of the general revival of the language and culture. However not all moko applied today are done so using traditional methods; although there are people who continue to use traditional tattooing methods. This is primarially because it is harder and more expensive to have moko applied traditionally and is also significantly more painful.