Māori tattoos map family history on the face

Traditional Māori tā moko are more than just tattoos; they are living genealogies etched onto the skin. Unlike typical tattoos, tā moko involves chiseling grooves into the flesh, creating unique, raised designs that chronicle an individual's ancestry and tribal heritage. These intricate facial patterns, applied to men's entire faces and women's chins, visually represent whakapapa—the Māori concept of lineage connecting individuals to their ancestors and communities.