Tattoos - Traditional Tattoo Artists at Work

Must see video of tattoo artists Croc and Inia of Moko Ink in New Zealand at work. Inia is a respected Maori tattoo artist who was consulted for work on the movie "Once were Warriors". Croc can be seen practicing the traditional ta moko "tap tap" tattoo style common amongst Pacific Islanders.

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[JadeForrest213]

Our Culture, Language, moko and even people were all most wiped out by Pakeha. But now everything is being revived! Samoan tatau artist help bring back the old way and big ups to them, helpin the cuzys out! But still moko is maori and tatau is samoan. So everyone stop say dumb stuff and those dump rascist maori dont be rascist!! Far Poly up

[samoa1slander]

1tatau- Yes, we all know us Samoans were the ones who have the unbroken tradition of tatau and that our Tufuga helped teach this tradition to those others in polynesia that lost it due to colonisation. but perhaps there are enough similarities between the cultures that this tradition can "perhaps" be viewed as "shared"?

We sailed the seas and they are our distant relatives. Not all Maori are ignorant racists. Some do acknowledge our connections & those have my blessing.

[blackaryan]

bro stay off the P

[blackaryan]

thanks uso thats a great statement ,fair and true,kia ora to you

[blackaryan]

where do maori come from ?we come from here.wez my proof?just study your history and all will be revealed.dont believe european taught knowledge cause its all shit..you dont come from asia,asia comes from polynesians.if we came from them how the fuck did we get so much bigger than them.the polynesian triangle is the garden of eden in the bible,and god put us here in the beginning,hidden from the wicked corrupt (europea)man-devil.but now the devils here and thats why everythinngs fucked up!!

[JadeForrest213]

Yes the method of samoan Tatau has been solid for 2000 years. But our kaumatua had there way to which was Maori. our moko has legend and the maori were isolated so thats why it abit different.

[JadeForrest213]

Far does anyone know for sure where us Maori come from? Staright from asia or Samoa or hawaii or could it be rapanui or Tahiti?? We say hawaiki but no one knows where it is! If anyone has proof (which no one does!) show it or shut the hell up. Everyone knows us polys are all connected. we all came from asia somewhere at some time. If anyone knows who started tattooin 1st show some proof or shut the hell up. Maybe we brought tattooin from asia?? Who Knows!!

[Saonmin]

you also said -"you seem to think the whole tattoo world revolves round Samoan tatau?"-

I never said that, but I am completely aware of the role Samoans have had in the revival of this tradition throughout the pacific. Samoans have even taught some Maori. The Samoan tatau titles are the most respected throughout polynesia. I do take pride in knowing that.

But I could tell some non-samoans involved in the "tattoo world" get bit jealous of the things Samoans have done.

[Saonmin]

No Maori tattooist that I am aware of uses the uhi as their MAIN tools.

As for dissing Moko by comparing it to Tatau? I never dissed anything. You were the one who said "the traditional taptap method is a pacific tradition". But there are many similarities between Moko and Tatau, the Maori tohunga ta moko who were taught by Samoans understand this. You being self taught wouldn't because you don't know Samoan Tatau or the genealogical connections.

[mkopua]

One does try lady whether taught by master or self? My case is I don't want title. You seem to think the whole tattoo world revolves round Samoan tatau? I am not as narrow minded as that. If you have not seen ANY Maori main tooling an uhi yet, then you're not looking hard enough?!

In any case I agree, Samoan are a credit when it comes to maintaining this tradition and many others, but dissing Maori Moko by comparing it with Tatau?? That's not a credit to Samoan art maintenance.

[tozell]

quote "Ive tried their way of tapping"

One does not try, one either is taken under the wing of a Samoan tufuga and given title, or one isn't. Your case seems to be the latter.

but good on you for being self taught(?). but I have yet to see ANY Maori tattooist use the uhi as their main tools.