Pattern of Facial Moko That Related to Whakapapa in Semiotics Context

Abstract

Māori is native inhabitants in New Zealand that preserves tattoo tradition named tā moko and this research is conducted to know the pattern of facial moko that related to whakapapa insemiotics context. The method of this research is qualitative descriptive and semiotics approach, which is used for digging into the meaning behind facial tattoos of Māori. Based on the analysis result, the writer concludes that facial tattoos of men and women are different specifically in its relation to the genealogy. The several patterns of men and women tattoos are examined using the theory of semiotics by elaborating three parts. The first part is representamen, which outlines the visual forms of tattoos. The second part is object, where elaborates shapes and names of the patterns. And the last is interpretant to explain view of Māori people to the patterns. Further, this research aims to provide information and new insight as well as give new perspective about tattoo itself.