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Moko and beard

This photograph of an unidentified Maori man with a moko (facial tattoo) was taken in 1880.

Some Christian missionaries disapproved of moko, arguing that they were a heathen practice, so some Maori men let their facial hair grow to cover their tattoos.

This image Appears In 1 Article:

  • All Whites football team for the 1981 World Cup campaign
    Men and their moustaches

Keywords

maori
moustaches
moko
Credit

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PA2-2215.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

How to cite this page

'Moko and beard', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/maori-man-with-moko, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 15-Jul-2013

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