‘A Curious Document’ Ta Moko as Evidence of Pre-European Textual Culture in New Zealand

Gallagher, Sarah K.J.

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‘A Curious Document’ Ta Moko as Evidence of Pre-European Textual Culture in New Zealand

Gallagher, Sarah K.J.

Cite this item: Gallagher, S. K. J. (2003). ‘A Curious Document’ Ta Moko as Evidence of Pre-European Textual Culture in New Zealand. BSANZ Bulletin, 27((3 & 4)), 39–47.

Permanent link to OUR Archive version: http://hdl.handle.net/10523/2473

Date: 2003

Publisher: New Zealand Electronic Text Centre [NZETC]

Pages: 39-47

ISSN: 0084-7852

Rights Statement: http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-NZETC-About-copyright.html

Keywords: moko; print culture; visual literacy; textual culture; Maori; tattooing

Research Type: Journal Article

Abstract:

Traditionally Maori have been viewed as having no written form of communication prior to the European colonization of New Zealand. The aim of this paper is to determine whether Ta Moko, Maori facial tattooing, can be construed as evidence a pre-European textual culture in New Zealand. Tattooing has a long history in the multi-various cultures of the world, yet the Maori form is exceptional in its method of application. It is also of particular interest bibliographically, because of its use by Maori as a signature on legal documents.

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