This chapter explores the semiotic journey of Māori facial tattoos, or moko, tracing their transition from symbols of indigenous identity viewed through a colonial gaze to powerful emblems of cultural revival and resistance. By examining historical encounters, such as those documented by Captain Cook and European settlers, the text delves into the intersection of semiotic ideologies, contrasting Western perspectives on individuality and representation with the Māori tradition of inscribing identity directly onto the body. The moko, simultaneously decorative and deeply symbolic, embodies a complex interplay of cultural, social, and individual identity. The analysis highlights the profound misinterpretations of moko by European observers and the resilience of Māori communities in reclaiming and redefining their traditional practices in the face of commercialization and cultural marginalization. This exploration underscores the enduring tension between cultural heritage and colonial narratives, offering insights into the broader implications of visual and semiotic practices in shaping identity and power relations.

Facial Scripts: The Semiotic Journey of Māori Tattoos from Colonial Gaze to Cultural Revival

Leone, Massimo
2025-01-01

Abstract

This chapter explores the semiotic journey of Māori facial tattoos, or moko, tracing their transition from symbols of indigenous identity viewed through a colonial gaze to powerful emblems of cultural revival and resistance. By examining historical encounters, such as those documented by Captain Cook and European settlers, the text delves into the intersection of semiotic ideologies, contrasting Western perspectives on individuality and representation with the Māori tradition of inscribing identity directly onto the body. The moko, simultaneously decorative and deeply symbolic, embodies a complex interplay of cultural, social, and individual identity. The analysis highlights the profound misinterpretations of moko by European observers and the resilience of Māori communities in reclaiming and redefining their traditional practices in the face of commercialization and cultural marginalization. This exploration underscores the enduring tension between cultural heritage and colonial narratives, offering insights into the broader implications of visual and semiotic practices in shaping identity and power relations.
2025
Inglese
Ferrara, Silvia, Mattia Cartolano, and Ludovica Ottaviano
Talking Images: The Interface between Drawing and Writing
Esperti anonimi
Routledge
New York and London
REGNO UNITO DI GRAN BRETAGNA
Routledge Research in Language and Communication
7
203
224
22
9781032712970
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781032712970-13/facial-scripts-1-massimo-leone?context=ubx&refId=623276ca-7359-4e33-a5a6-59a0abe17ed0
Māori Tattoos, Semiotic Systems, Cultural Revival, Facial Writing, Colonial Gaze
no
   FACETS - Face Aesthetics in Contemporary E-Technological Societies
   EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1 – prodotto con file in versione Open Access (allegherò il file al passo 6 - Carica)
Leone, Massimo
1
info:eu-repo/semantics/bookPart
02-CAPITOLO DI LIBRO::02A-Contributo in volume
268
open
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Massimo LEONE 2024 - Facial Scripts - PDF Editoriale.pdf

Accesso aperto

Descrizione: Testo principale
Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 1 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/2041133
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact