Distinguishing between different forms of Maori tattoos
Recently, a movie came out called Whale Rider to critical
acclaim and public delight. The movie focused on a girl growing up
in the Maori culture of New Zealand and enlightened the American
movie-going population about this group of people. It also shed some
light on a particularly interesting part of the culture -- Maori
tattoos.
A Maori tattoo isn't just a way to decorate and celebrate the
body. It's part of the identity of a person who is a member of the
culture. One type of tattoo is the Ta Moko, which essentially tells
the story of a person's family history. These tattoos are sacred and
are related to hundreds of years of family history. Tattooing isn't
just a form of body art to be appreciated aesthetically -- its part
of a Maori person's sense of self.
The tattoos are often seen on the face. This is what non-Maori
people most often notice first about the tattoos of the culture.
Facial tattoos are important because the head is considered the most
sacred part of the body. Instead of needles, like we see in American
tattoos, chisels are the common instrument of choice.
While you may be enthralled by the Maori culture and their
interesting tattoo patterns, the Ta Moko tattoos are meant for
Maoris only. This is, after all, part of a person's identity and
family history. If you are interested in this type of tattooing,
consider the Maori skin art, called Kirituhi. To understand more
about Kirituhi, check out this information from
Tamoko.org. Kirituhi is more about body adornment than
genealogy, so it is better suited for other cultures.
About the Author:
Bob Whitehead is a successful freelance writer and publisher of
http://www.body-jewelry-useek.com. Body jewelry, piercing and tattooing information you seek to perfectly adorn your body.
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