Story: Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia

Ipu ngārahu (pigment container)

Ipu ngārahu (pigment container)

This carved ipu ngārahu was used to hold special inks used as part of tā moko (traditional tattooing). Tattoos were reserved for the high-born, who had enough leisure time to undergo the lengthy process, which sometimes took years.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: WE001522

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Ross Calman, 'Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia - Leisure in traditional Māori society', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/40182/ipu-ngarahu-pigment-container (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Ross Calman, published 5 Sep 2013