Stephen Joel Beckerman, Thesis Supervisor Stephen Joel Beckerman, Thesis Supervisor Timothy Michael Ryan, Thesis Honors Advisor Nina G Jablonski, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
tattoo tattooing dualism Maori New Zealand Polynesian Culture
Abstract:
Among anthropologists concerned with Maori culture, dualism has been widely discussed, usually in over-arching social and religious contexts. Less attention has been paid to dualism as displayed in the visual arts, particularly in the art of <i>ta moko</i>, the characteristic Maori practice of facial tattooing/scarification. By analyzing ethnographic and ethno-historic accounts and combining them with specialized works on <i>ta moko</i>, <i>whakairo</i>, and other Maori arts, as well as comparative Polynesian anthropology, this thesis examines <i>moko</i> in the light of the overall dualistic structuring of Maori culture. Dualism in Maori culture is manifested perhaps most importantly in the basic division between <i>tame tane</i>, the male part, and <i>tame wahine</i>, the female part. This dualism is particularly prominent in <i>ta moko</i> artistry and designs, which inherently have both a male and female part. This study examines this previously underexplored aspect of this art form and illustrates the depth of dualistic thinking in traditional Maori culture.
