Final answer:
Māori men's tattoos were extensive, covering their faces and bodies, and reflected tribal and social status. Women's tattoos were usually confined to delicate designs on the chin and lips, symbolizing beauty and status. Both embodied rich symbolism and cultural identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional Māori tattoos, known as Ta Moko, had distinct differences between the markings for men and women. The men's Moko typically involved intricate patterns covering their faces, buttocks, and thighs. For men, these tattoos signified social status, lineage, and tribal affiliation. They were bold, with spiraling designs on the face known as the Moko, which carried significant cultural importance, symbolizing a rite of passage and standing.
In contrast, women's Moko were usually limited to the chin, lips, and sometimes the nostrils. These were less extensive but equally significant, focusing more on delicate design, and like the men's tattoos, they told the story of the individual's background, social position, and tribe. The women's Moko was a symbol of beauty and high social status within the community.
Both men's and women's tattoos were performed by Tohunga tā moko (master tattooists) using chisels made from albatross bone and natural pigments to create the incisions and colors. The practice of Ta Moko was a sacred ritual, infused with spirituality and symbolism, encapsulating one's identity and ancestry in the Māori culture.