Originally tohunga-tā-moko ( moko specialists) used a range of uhi (chisels) made from albatross bone which were hafted onto a handle, and struck with a mallet. Later needle tattooing was used, but, in 2007, it was reported that the uhi currently was being used by some artists. Historically the skin was carved by uhi (chisels), rather than punctured as in common contemporary tattooing this left the skin with grooves rather than a smooth surface.

Ī collection of korere (feeding funnels) Instruments used Other parts of the body known to have moko include women's foreheads, buttocks, thighs, necks and backs and men's backs, stomachs, and calves. Women usually wore moko on their lips ( kauwae) and chins. Men generally received moko on their faces, buttocks ( raperape) and thighs ( puhoro). Apart from signalling status and rank, another reason for the practice in traditional times was to make a person more attractive to the opposite sex. Receiving moko constituted an important milestone between childhood and adulthood, and was accompanied by many rites and rituals. Moko were associated with mana and high social status however, some very high-status individuals were considered too tapu to acquire moko, and it was also not considered suitable for some tohunga to do so. In pre-European Māori culture, many if not most high-ranking persons received moko. Tattoo arts are common in the Eastern Polynesian homeland of the Māori people, and the traditional implements and methods employed were similar to those used in other parts of Polynesia.

Hawaiian tribal face paint female