Moko; or Maori Tattooing
Chapter XI — Methods of Embalming
Chapter XI
Methods of Embalming
We are fortunate enough in recording the history of moko to have fairly full accounts of the process of mokomokai. The Rev. Mr. Taylor says the preparation of the skull was called Paki Paki, or Popo, which signified taking out the brain. The heads were then steamed in the oven several times, and after each steaming were carefully wiped with the flowers of the kakaho or reed, and every portion of flesh and brain was removed, a small thin manuka stick being inserted between the skin and bone of the nose to preserve its form. This over, the heads were dried in the sun, and afterwards exposed to the smoke of their houses. The eyes were extracted, the sockets filled with flax, and the lids sewn together. The heads thus prepared were exempt from the attacks of insects, being thoroughly impregnated with pyroligneous acid. At the neck, where the head had been severed from the body, the skin was drawn together like the mouth of a bladder tobacco-pouch, leaving an open space large enough to admit the hand, as a portion of the base of the skull was cut away.
page 149[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 136.—Specimen in Author's collection.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig 137.—Specimen in Author's collection; glass eyes added.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 138.—Specimen in Author's collection; lips with blue dye.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 139.—Specimen in Author's collection showing tattooing on neck.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 140.—Specimen in Author's collection, fully tattooed head.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 141.—Specimen in Author's collection, showing work done with fine instruments.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 142.—Specimen in Author's collection, forehead and nose completed.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 143.—Specimen in Author's collection. Now in Salford Museum.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
It may be here noted that a French writer regards the Maori art of preserving heads as showing original connection between the New Zealanders and the ancient world; and he compares their processes with that of the Egyptians in embalming mummies. page 157 This question, however, extends far beyond the limits of ascertainable fact.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 144.—Same head as Fig. 134
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
I prefer to give yet another account of this curious ceremony from the Rev. William Yates, who as a missionary of the Church
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Missionary Society in the North Island in 1835, had no small experience of Maori life before its change established itself. He says: “The following account of the process was given me by a chief who has preserved and assisted in preserving many after the various battles in which he had engaged. When the head has been cut off the shoulders, the brains are immediately taken out through a perforation behind, and the skull carefully cleaned inside from all mucilaginous and fleshy matter. The eyes are then scooped out, and the head thrown into boiling water, into which red-hot stones are continually cast to keep up the heat. It remains till the skin will slip off, and is then suddenly plunged into cold water, whence it is immediately taken and placed in a native oven, so as to allow the steam to penetrate into all the cavities of the interior of the skull. When sufficiently steamed, it is placed on a stick to dry, and again put into an oven made for the purpose, about the size of the head. The flesh, which easily slips off the bones, is then taken away, and small sticks are employed to thrust flax or the bark of trees within the skin so as to restore it to its former shape and preserve the features. The nostrils are carefully stuffed with a piece of fern root, and the lips generally sewn together; though sometimes they are not closed, but the teeth are allowed to appear. It is finished by hanging it for a few days to dry in the sun. Should the head not now be perfectly preserved, which is but rarely the case, or should there be any internal or external appearance of putrefaction, it is again steamed. This operation is continued till the skin is thoroughly dry, and all other soft matter removed or destroyed, so as to insure it against decomposition, unless much exposed to a humid atmosphere.”
A good deal of the bones of the palate, nose, and interior, is sometimes cut away, and more or less flax used for stuffing the nose and cheeks. The great beauty of the Maori, namely his teeth, is well seen. It may be mentioned here that the expression “Upoko Kohue” or boiled head was the deepest insult known to the Maori language.
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Fig. 145.—Mourning over the head of a friend.
(After the Rev. Mr. Yates.)
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 146.—Head with false eyes inserted by native taxidermist. (Saffron Walden Museum.)
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 147.—Head of a boy with post-mortem moko, in the possession of J. W. Colmer, Esq. one eye depicted
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 148.—Specimen in Author's Collection,
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
[Note added by NZETC as annotator:]
Description: Fig. 149.—Specimen in Army Medical Department at Washington, U.S.A. obtained by Wilkes Expedition. 1840.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.