The Curse of the Maori Warrior's Stolen Heads in New Zealand

The Maori people in New Zealand tattooed their heads (moko) and buttocks by chiselling a design into the skin and rubbing ink into it. Moko was chiselled into the face to create permanent grooves in the skin. The face was 'carved' like wood, and then pigmented. The tattoos gave the Maori warrior an intimidating, fearsome appearance. They also displayed the wearer's capacity for pain and endurance.