Tribal Tattoo
In many different tribes and cultures around the world spanning the course of human history, the use of tribal tattoos have had many purposes and meanings behind their art – from expressing the inner strengths of men, an association with a specific tribe, and as a talisman or a promise of protection from gods.
No other tribal tattoo design is more well-known than the Maori tribal tattoo design. The Maori’s are a noble tribe living still living off the coasts of New Zealand. As part of their customs and beliefs, many members of the Maori culture still adorn the tribal tattoos of their ancestors.
The definitive collection of the different Maori tribal tattoo designs was written in 1896 by Gen. Horatio Robley, entitled Moko—which translates as Maori Tattooing. Maori tribal tattoos are known for its facial designs that are made up of big swirls traditionally cut and dyed by making punctures into the skin. These cuts were so deep, in fact, that in addition to the ink, tribe members’ skin would also receive long-lasting scars—which they would wear proudly.
There are no actually traditional designs of Maori tribal tattoos used in today’s tattooing world, but a lot of traibal tattoo art is based off of patterns similar to traditional Maori tattoos—designs based on shapes like spirals as well as abstract linear shapes. The motifs of the spiral pattern is in a way an important to the essence of Maori life, and the tribal tattoo design is repeated in their pottery, homes, and other crafted goods. The noble men of the tribe receive tribal tattoos on their face as well as in various areas of the body. To the Maori man, his tribal tattoos were what struck fear into his enemies and bolstered pride in his heart. And, in addition, Maori tattoos were traditionally used to attract members of the opposite sex: Many Maori women strongly considered a man’s tattoo indicative of him having sexual power and potency.
Speaking of the females, they were definitely not excluded from receiving their own tribal tattoos. But, Maori tattoos on females were no where near as elaborate as what the males’. Female facial tattoos in the Maori tradition consisted of the lines around the lips, and included the inking of the skin on the chin—and even sometimes the addition of an extra spiral or line on the cheek or forehead. All of these tribal tattoos were done in a deep blue (almost black) color—and though it might seem odd to a lot of Westerners, it is actually considered quite beautiful to the Maori tribe.
Today, it has been shown that the original methods used by the tohunga ta moko, or tribal tattoo artist, can be replicated to recreate or show reverence for the wonderful and traditional Maori tattoo designs. Champion-boxer Mike Tyson actually has an ancient tribal tattoo inked onto the left side of face. This intricate tattoo has the same bold dark lines and swirls that you would see the on the fiercest of Maori warriors.
