What Is Female Moko Tattoo?

Moko tattoos are traditional facial tattoos worn by the Māori people of New Zealand. The facial tattoo is unique to the Māori culture and is seen as a sign of status and identity. Moko tattoos are believed to be a visual representation of a person's genealogy, tribal affiliations, and personal history. Traditionally, the Māori tattoo (moko) was done with chisels and albatross bone or uhi (tattoo chisel) which were tapped into the skin with a mallet. The tattoo process was painful and could take days, weeks or even months to complete. Women often received moko on their lips, chin, and around their eyes while men received moko on their faces and buttocks.

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