tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542495.post114114673428909736..comments2023-05-12T11:49:11.618-04:00Comments on modified state of mind: crossing my fingers...Tanya/Tikay/Tatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470110737832236632noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542495.post-1145926778669261182006-04-24T20:59:00.000-04:002006-04-24T20:59:00.000-04:00This comment is just here to indicate my envy. By...This comment is just here to indicate my envy. By the by, what's your opinion on the pain-aspect of Maori tattoo methods? From what I understand, they're significantly more painful to make than typical tattooing methods, and I'm curious how that figures in your wish to pursue something done in that style and with those methods.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542495.post-1143377923707615612006-03-26T07:58:00.000-05:002006-03-26T07:58:00.000-05:00Kia ora Tanya,Introduction first, I am Tim, a youn...Kia ora Tanya,<BR/>Introduction first, I am Tim, a young euro-maori(Ngapuhi) half-caste currently battling the urban grind in Auckland, New Zealand. I'm glad that you share such an interest in Ta Moko & would be happy to talk to you about any questions you may have about maori culture. I've got a word of warning though, don't come to Aotearoa simply if you believe you will acquire an authentic Maori moko while you are here. To obtain an authentic moko you must have Maori ancestry, not because we are a bunch of elitist bastards, but because a moko is like a name-tag stating your tribe, sub-tribe, birth-rights, position in the tribe, etc... so without having Maori ancestry, the moko is impossible. An alternative however is what we call 'Kirituhi' which basically means 'Skin art' in Maori, and is used to label moko-influenced tattoo art to seperate it from traditional moko. I don't mean to offend you with this comment, in fact I mean the opposite, I am a big fan of your blog & think that you are very talented, I just wanted you to know this before you showed up on our shores, especially because as a foreigner without whakapapa asking for moko could be taken as an insult to a maori tattoo artist. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your only chance to gain whakapapa (Maori lineage)would be to marry into a maori family, but that's probably not something you'd want to do just for moko. Anyway, if you end up coming to New Zealand I would be more than happy to meet up with you & Chriss & show you around, even point you in the direction of Ta Moko practitioners (keeping in mind the above) until then, if you have any questions about modern maori feel free to ask, I look forward to future correspondence.<BR/><BR/>Tim<BR/>4dprince at g mail dot comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com