Would you ever get a Moko? If you have ever thought of getting one, maybe you should know some information first. Let me tell you what I know.
The Moko is like an identity card, or passport. In the old days, for men, the Moko showed their rank or their status, having the Moko meant that the wearer had power and could be recognized. It would be a great insult if the person was not recognized as the chief he was, and this could lead to "utu" or revenge.
My nan has a Moko, it is a small one on her chin. If you have a Moko on your face or chin, you are not allowed to smoke or drink, I think that this is good.
Mokos are made by using a range of tools like a chisel made out of bone and the ink is made from burnt timbers. Mokos used to be very painful to get this way, but now we have electric tattoo guns that do not hurt so much.
Mokos are tattoos and many cultures have traditional tattoos. Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, Niueans, Cook Islanders and Hawaiians have tattoos. Tattoos represents many stories and traditions of each and every culture.
Even though the Moko is a Maori tattoo, many cultures all over the world use Tattoos for different reasons.
We are all different cultures but we are all together and united. Mokos are symbols that could bring people of the same cultures together.
By Joshua
Ka pai Josh,
ReplyDeleteYou worked really hard to write your speech about the Moko - you should be very proud of yourself.
I am looking foward to hearing you read this.
Keep up the good work!
Miss B :)