Well said! A few years back I would get quite upset because I knew the meaning behind the moko. I felt it demeaned all those that had passed before. Ultimately I had to reconcile that these tattoos don't mean anything close to what they once did. A bit like the haka really. Thanks for all the hard work you put into your articles.
Having spent 3 decades of my working life among hairy legged seafarers I have seen every tatt there is.
Except one!
That's the ink that makes it's wearer look better.
Now young females. The best and most beautiful they'll ever look in their natural life then they go and do that. White, brown or brindle, it's not 'spiritual', it's just plain dumb.
The Moko, is falling in line with society, any value it had is lost, due to the fact that anybody can get one!
The Haka and Uni degrees are cheapened by over use. Even apprenticeships are loosing value, partly due to the reduction in time it takes to complete 5years down to 3years and the components used, moving more and more to plug and play.
Discipline is a dirty word, but, for example, top sports people, tradies, professional's, etc cannot succeed with out it! Children appear not to be taught the benefits of discipline!
When I saw that article about the thirteen year old getting one I was so surprised, because I had read Dr Hinemoa Elder describe getting hers in the book "Aroha" and she too made it clear it was not something to be taken lightly. She worried for a long time about whether she had earned it or not before going ahead. After reading that I was always quite impressed when I saw someone sporting one, but now I know better. Sad though, for those that really deserve it.
"Today, you’ll see moko kauae lining the queues outside WINZ. People who speak of decolonisation while relying on the very systems they claim to oppose. The same people wearing symbols of prestige without the deeds to match. It’s performative. It’s ironic. It’s insulting to those who once bore the mark with genuine honour. They too are slaves, but slaves to the colonial system." Brilliantly put.
This is true for the Maori culture as well unfortunately for it too suffers the cheap and deceitful marketing New Zealand has fallen for in the past 40-50 yrs. Where once we had a kind of casual integrity as a nation now there is not much left. I always said leave Maori Culture alone it was fine before the Nation tried to monetise it.....sad, really sad......
Interesting piece. Maori tatts have become rather cringe due to their misappropriation as political statements. Personally, I’m not into facial tattoos at all. I find them ugly & barbaric. The full face jobbies were designed to intimidate in battle. That makes them inappropriate for today’s society. Like having a swastika on your face, it’s just wrong. If someone wants to get a chin tatt, that’s their choice. But I do not find it interesting nor the least bit attractive. Ink all over your face? Why would someone do that?
Loved your use of James in this…so many gems in these recollections from the past - before they changed the history books and the elders died with the oral testimony
Matua is correct. Ta-moko or moko kauae were symbols of rank or status earnt. To treat moko simply as an emblem of race or a political statement belittles both the artist and the wearer.
That said, to me, facial moko is for a time gone by. It signifies a step back into a darker time
When you have a 14 year old girl, who is barely out of nappies getting moko kauae, the respect of its meaning - Gone!
Well written Matua, thank you 🙏🏻
Well said! A few years back I would get quite upset because I knew the meaning behind the moko. I felt it demeaned all those that had passed before. Ultimately I had to reconcile that these tattoos don't mean anything close to what they once did. A bit like the haka really. Thanks for all the hard work you put into your articles.
Having spent 3 decades of my working life among hairy legged seafarers I have seen every tatt there is.
Except one!
That's the ink that makes it's wearer look better.
Now young females. The best and most beautiful they'll ever look in their natural life then they go and do that. White, brown or brindle, it's not 'spiritual', it's just plain dumb.
The Moko, is falling in line with society, any value it had is lost, due to the fact that anybody can get one!
The Haka and Uni degrees are cheapened by over use. Even apprenticeships are loosing value, partly due to the reduction in time it takes to complete 5years down to 3years and the components used, moving more and more to plug and play.
Discipline is a dirty word, but, for example, top sports people, tradies, professional's, etc cannot succeed with out it! Children appear not to be taught the benefits of discipline!
Like your raising the notion of discipline…so lacking these days…and earning respect…instead of believing it’s a right
Now days it is merely a fashion statement. No earning required, only money to be paid and voila!
Hasn't lost meaning to me.
When I saw that article about the thirteen year old getting one I was so surprised, because I had read Dr Hinemoa Elder describe getting hers in the book "Aroha" and she too made it clear it was not something to be taken lightly. She worried for a long time about whether she had earned it or not before going ahead. After reading that I was always quite impressed when I saw someone sporting one, but now I know better. Sad though, for those that really deserve it.
"Today, you’ll see moko kauae lining the queues outside WINZ. People who speak of decolonisation while relying on the very systems they claim to oppose. The same people wearing symbols of prestige without the deeds to match. It’s performative. It’s ironic. It’s insulting to those who once bore the mark with genuine honour. They too are slaves, but slaves to the colonial system." Brilliantly put.
This is true for the Maori culture as well unfortunately for it too suffers the cheap and deceitful marketing New Zealand has fallen for in the past 40-50 yrs. Where once we had a kind of casual integrity as a nation now there is not much left. I always said leave Maori Culture alone it was fine before the Nation tried to monetise it.....sad, really sad......
Interesting piece. Maori tatts have become rather cringe due to their misappropriation as political statements. Personally, I’m not into facial tattoos at all. I find them ugly & barbaric. The full face jobbies were designed to intimidate in battle. That makes them inappropriate for today’s society. Like having a swastika on your face, it’s just wrong. If someone wants to get a chin tatt, that’s their choice. But I do not find it interesting nor the least bit attractive. Ink all over your face? Why would someone do that?
Loved your use of James in this…so many gems in these recollections from the past - before they changed the history books and the elders died with the oral testimony
Matua is correct. Ta-moko or moko kauae were symbols of rank or status earnt. To treat moko simply as an emblem of race or a political statement belittles both the artist and the wearer.
That said, to me, facial moko is for a time gone by. It signifies a step back into a darker time
Sad that its become meaningless
Where are the messages from the Marae.?...You disrespect us
As you have said earlier Matua, it's your fair sinned brothers who are helping facilitate this avalanche of B.S. we are being fed.