The History of Maori Tattoo

What is Tattooing?Tattooing is a form of art that has been practised by various cultures since the prehistoric times. It is done by piercing or lacerating the skin with a sharp object that has been dipped into indelible ink or dye. The dyes have ranged from plant extracts, powdered ores, and even ashes.This changes the pigment of the skin, and is done so for decorative, cosmetic, or practical reasons. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word 'tautau'. It's modern phraseology was first coined by the naturalist Joseph Banks, who referred to it as 'tattow'.Banks was a naturalist aboard the 'Endeavour', led by Captain James Cook. The word 'tattow' itself might have been Banks's and consequently Cook's adaptation of the native word 'tautau'. Primitive cultures use tattoos not only for decorative purposes, but also to designate rank and status. Some are done for religious and mystical purposes, while others are applied as markers for social outcasts, slaves, or convicts.The History of the Maori TattooThe art of the Maori tattoo was brought by the Maori to New Zealand from their homelands in Eastern Polynesia. In 1769, Captain James Cook and the naturalist Joseph Banks first saw the intricate tattoos of the Maori tribesmen during their voyage to the South Pacific, and became fascinated and intrigued by it.The Maori name for tattoos, particularly facial tattoos are 'moko', and the process of making it is called 'ta moko'. Since the Maori kept no written records, the exact date or time that the Maori adopted the art of tattooing is still uncertain. What we do know, however, is that Abel Tasman and his crew, who were the first to reach New Zealand in 1642, did not see any tattooed Maoris at that time.It is probable that the Maori adopted the art much later, inspired perhaps by other kinds of Polynesian body art, prior to the arrival of Cook in 1769. Another possibility suggests that the Maori tattoo was simply brought to New Zealand from Polynesia rather than being developed separately, and was simply not in main-stream practice when Tasman arrived. By that time Cook arrived though, ta-moko had become an integral part of Maori culture.The Maori often took tattooed heads of their enemies as trophies during war, and kept them in ornate ceremonial boxes as symbols of power, conquest, and protection. During the first decade of the 19th century, Europeans made regular contact with Maori tribes. A group of missionaries later decided to study Maori and also convert them to the ideals of Christianity, in 1814, taking with them one chief named Hongi, who was brought with them to England.While there, he worked with an Oxford professor to write a bilingual dictionary and translate the Bible into the Maori language. He was granted an audience with King George IV of England, and was presented with trunk-loads of gifts as a reward for his evangelical efforts.Hongi exchanged his gifts for a number of muskets and an ample supply of ammunition in Sydney; and upon his return to New Zealand, he used the weapons to launch a series of raids against enemy tribes. The Maori later discovered that Europeans would trade weapons for tattooed heads.Soon, Maori would raid neighbouring tribes for the sole purpose of obtaining tattooed heads, which would be traded for guns and more ammunition. The traders then sold those heads to museums and private collectors in select areas of Europe. Ever desperate for more weapons, the Maori soon beheaded slaves and commoners who were captured in battle, and tattooed their heads. Often, even heads of poor quality or those with unfinished tattoos were still offered for sale.One of the most noted collectors of tattooed heads was Major General Horatio Robley, who, in his lifetime, acquired some 35 tattooed heads. Today, 30 out of the 35 heads in his collection can be found in the Natural History Museum of New York. Major General Robley also published a book entitled Moko, or Maori Tattooing, which gave extensive details on the process and meaning of Maori tattoo designs.The Maori Tattoo Legend A less historical explanation for the origin of the Maori tattoo can be found in the local legend which suggests that ta moko, the Maori tattoo, came from the underworld, called Uetonga. The legend states that there was a young warrior called Mataora, who fell in love with the princess of the underworld - called Niwareka. Niwareka came above-ground to marry Mataora.However, Mataora mistreated Niwareka, which made her return to the underworld. Mataora, sick with guilt, pursued Niwareka to the underworld, only to be greeted by Niwareka's relatives, who laughed at his ragged appearance and smudged face-paint.Mataora apologized before Niwareka's family, and this act won Niwareka back. Before returning above-ground, it was said that Niwareka's father, the king of the underworld, taught Mataora the art of ta moko. Mataora brought back these skills to his people, and that was how the Maori came to have their distinct type of tattoo.Despite the little amount of information that we have on the origins of the Maori tattoo, it has a rich recorded history. Several books have been published about the subject of Maori tattoos since the first time Europeans saw it. The books, such as those by Major General Robley, Michael King, and John Rutherford have helped in preserving the significance and interest in Maori tattoos. The lack of definite origins seems to add more mystique to this already captivating form of early art. Perhaps it is that mystery which has made the Maori tattoo endure.