https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXuCsSUFC_E

Ta moko - traditional Māori tattooing, often on the face - is a taonga (treasure) to Māori for which the purpose and applications are sacred.

Each moko contains ancestral tribal messages specific to the wearer. These messages tell the story of the wearer's family and tribal affiliations, and their place in these social structures.

A moko’s message also portrays the wearer’s genealogy, knowledge and social standing.