Q. Just wondering why some people say maori tattoos are evil and can put curses on you? does anyone know much about them? and can you get in trouble with the maori tribe and gangs etc???
A. Not sure why they said they can be evil because I've never heard that...tatau, or tattoos as we call them, were a very traditional rite of passage for the Maori. Each geometric or linear design (also the thickness, area on the body, and symbolism) is known to the other Maori to mean a particular thing. For instance, if you were a woman, you might have a particular linear design on your thigh to signify that you're married. Many men begin to receive tattoo's upon entering adulthood.
However, this is the traditional sense of the tattoos; present day it is not required that you receive the tattoos to prove you've entered adulthood even though some still do it. I believe a lot of the tattoos still hold their traditional meanings though.
...I mean, if you're going to go to the islands and show them off, some traditional people might be offended based upon the meaning or where it's at on your body. It's not like they'd beat you up or kill you though. They might even laugh if it's an opposite gender tattoo. I don't know, I'd research the designs if I were you. But, of course if you're just going to live where you do, I'm sure no one would know the difference or the meanings if you aren't living there.
However, this is the traditional sense of the tattoos; present day it is not required that you receive the tattoos to prove you've entered adulthood even though some still do it. I believe a lot of the tattoos still hold their traditional meanings though.
...I mean, if you're going to go to the islands and show them off, some traditional people might be offended based upon the meaning or where it's at on your body. It's not like they'd beat you up or kill you though. They might even laugh if it's an opposite gender tattoo. I don't know, I'd research the designs if I were you. But, of course if you're just going to live where you do, I'm sure no one would know the difference or the meanings if you aren't living there.
People have issues with my tattoo?
Q. So I'm part Maori (on my mothers side) part Ukranian (on my fathers side) and I have a Moko, which is a traditional Maori tattoo. But lately I've been getting a lot of criticism for having one. So I spent most of my childhood in Ukraine and my mother who is from New Zealand made sure that me and my siblings knew all about our Maori culture and heritage. So when I was 17 I had my Moko done and that was fine until I travelled to New Zealand where a Maori woman came up to me and said that it was disrepectful for "Whites" to have a Moko. I was gobsmacked! I couldn't even muster up the words to tell her that I was part Maori and had every right to have this tattoo. And I've had a lot more comments like that since then too.I know I just look like a typical white girl with blonde hair and green eyes but it's a bit upsetting and I'm not entirely sure how to deal with the people that comment these things and it's getting annoying having to explain why a "white chick who's not even from NZ" has a Moko. What do you tell people when they ask about your tattoos? Do you give them the story or just let them think what they want?
A. I think in your case, you should have told them. "I know I may not look Maori, but I promise you, I have Maori blood in my veins just like you do." And then just leave it at that. You shouldn't let people confront you and criticize you for your choices. It's your body, and it's a part of your culture. Who are they to say that you aren't worthy of a tattoo?
As for me, I don't have a tattoo with cultural significance like yours, but it does have personal significance. I don't feel it necessary to tell them why I got it unless they ask. But if they criticized me for it...I would set them straight.
As for me, I don't have a tattoo with cultural significance like yours, but it does have personal significance. I don't feel it necessary to tell them why I got it unless they ask. But if they criticized me for it...I would set them straight.
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