Ta Moko artists. This is the newest of the national art organisations, with the desired outcome of retaining and developing Ta Moko as a living art form. Committee members: Derek Lardelli, Pouwhakahaere (Gisborne)Turumakina (Tu) Duley (Brisbane)Richard Francis (Rotorua)Mark Kopua (Wellington)Patrick Takoko (Gisborne) Te Uhi was formed in response to inquiries received by Toi Maori concerning the need for a group to advise on the art form. A national gathering of 50 artists in April 2000 at Waipapa Marae, Auckland, discussed the formation of a national forum for Ta Moko. There was an agreement in principle for the establishment of a group and for it to become a member of Toi Maori. In July that same year, a National Hui followed at Apumoana Marae, Rotorua. An executive was elected to develop a programme to achieve the desired outcomes of the national collective. Safe health practices are a priority for Te Uhi. Māori people. The Māori (Māori pronunciation: [ˈmaːɔɾi], /ˈmɑːʊəri/)[6] are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
The Māori originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia, who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages at some time between 1250 and 1300 CE.[7][8] Over several centuries in isolation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture that became known as the "Māori", with their own language, a rich mythology, distinctive crafts and performing arts. Early Māori formed tribal groups, based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organisation. Horticulture flourished using plants they introduced, and later a prominent warrior culture emerged. The arrival of Europeans to New Zealand starting from the 17th century brought enormous change to the Māori way of life.
Māori people gradually adopted many aspects of Western society and culture. Etymology In the Māori language the word māori means "normal", "natural" or "ordinary". Naming and self-naming History Origins. Ta moko - significance of Maori tattoos. Ta moko - significance of Maori tattoos Ta moko - traditional Māori tattooing, often on the face - is a taonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred. Every moko contains ancestral / tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures. A moko’s message would also contain the wearer’s ‘value’ by way of their genealogy, and their knowledge and standing in their social level.
Kirituhi means skin art and describes more general tattooing. Reviving art formTa moko as an artform declined during the 20th century, however in recent times it has been revived as an important art form among Māori that is worn as an expression of cultural pride and integrity. Māori writer / academic Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, who is Professor of Psychology at Waikato University says: "Ta moko today is much more than a fashion statement, a passing fad for Māori. What is a moko? Graphic Design History Timeline. The Maori - Tattoo - New Zealand in History. According to archaeological evidence, tattooing came to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesian culture. The bone chisels used for tattooing can be found in archaeological sites of various ages in New Zealand, as well as in some early Eastern Polynesian sites.
Although the Māori practiced tattooing, there is no evidence that the Moriori people did. In New Zealand, It is in the early sites that the widest chisel blades are found, and this lends evidence to the theory that there was possibly a preference towards rectilinear tattoo patterns in earlier times. The head was considered the most sacred part of the body, and because tattooing caused blood to run the tattoo craftsmen, or "tohunga-ta-oko", were very tapu persons. Tattooing commenced at puberty, accompanied by many rites and rituals. There were certain prohibitions during the tattooing process, and for the facial tattoo in particular sexual intimacy and the eating of solid foods were prohibited. Ta moko - traditional Māori tattoo art. Ta moko - traditional Māori tattoo art In recent years New Zealand has seen a resurgence in the traditional practice of ta moko - the permanent body and face marking of the indigenous Māori people. This unique tattoo form is being embraced by Māori men and women, as a sign of their cultural identity and a reflection of the revival of the Māori language and culture.
Unique tattoo styleTraditional ta moko is distinct from tattoo because the skin is carved using uhi or chisels rather than punctured with needles, leaving the skin with grooves rather than a smooth surface. The resurgence of ta moko has seen both a revival in the use of uhi and an increasing number of practitioners, including women, learning the art. Concern amongst Māori about the practice of ta moko by non-Māori has seen the establishment of Te Uhi a Mataora, a group that deals with issues surrounding the art form.
Early moko historyTa moko was brought by Māori from their eastern Polynesian homeland. Significance of ta moko.