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Many of today’s indigenous cultures have tattooing practices that stretch back to ancient times. The Maori people of New Zealand still practice the tattoo traditions of ta moko and kirituhi. Ta moko tattoos are considered sacred and are worn by Maori people only; kirituhi tattoos are Maori style but can be worn by anyone. Traditional Maori tattoos are done with an uhi , which is a type of chisel, rather than a needle. The elaborate and beautiful designs are highly symbolic, with patterns and images that relate to the person’s family, health, career, and other aspects of his or her life. The Tattoo Process To get a tattoo, the first step is to decide on the design. Even if you already have something in mind, you should consult

The Maori people of New Zealand still practice the tattoo traditions of ta moko.

Tattooing and Scarification

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