In this episode of the Tattoos with Intention podcast, host Mark Nara interviews moko artist Turumakina Duley.
They discuss the significance of traditional Maori tattooing and rites of passage. Tu recounts his journey into tattooing, beginning with his childhood exposure to cultural performance and his deepening connection to Maori heritage. He shares insights from his doctoral thesis on rites of passage and the importance of re-establishing traditional practices within Maori communities.
The conversation explores the psychological, communal, and transformative impacts of moko and emphasizes the importance of collective rituals and mentorship. Listeners are invited to delve deeper into the cultural and personal narratives that shape meaningful tattoo experiences.
- 00:00 Welcome and Introduction
- 00:50 Meeting Turumakina Dooley
- 02:52 Turumakina’s Early Life and Tattoo Beginnings
- 05:49 Mentorship and Moko Revival
- 09:00 Rites of Passage and Cultural Significance
- 21:50 Challenges and Adaptations in Modern Times
- 29:34 Morning Rituals
- 29:41 The Importance of Rituals
- 30:43 Reviving Maori Cultural Practices
- 33:23 Global Initiations and Dark Shadows
- 37:20 Tattooing as a Rite of Passage
- 44:31 Mixed Genealogies and Cultural Connections
- 48:35 Concluding Thoughts and Resources
FOLLOW
Instagram: @artselemental | @tu_moko
Website: Arts Elemental
Books:
- The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell
- The Archetype of Initiation – Robert L. Moore
- King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature – Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette
Instagram: @themarkofnara
Tattoo Pathway – Tattoo Education and Research Institute
