A friend of mine sent me a link to this beautiful (and informal) interview between Clayton Cubitt and Vic Taurewa Biddle discussing his homosexuality, Tā moko, Maori heritage, the Twelfth Realm and everything inbetween.
Apparently Veoh (the provider of the video above) is blocked in quite a few countries so if you can’t view it above, here is the YouTube video.
BME/News and Modblog highlight only a small fraction of what
I’m a sucker for an honest laugh!
I’m a sucker for an honest laugh!
Yay for Maori 🙂 My niece’s father recently went back to NZ for his Tā moko.
Yay for Maori 🙂 My niece’s father recently went back to NZ for his Tā moko.
That. Is. Awesome.
And his face is *so beautiful*. Wow.
That. Is. Awesome.
And his face is *so beautiful*. Wow.
Finally some more homo-content. The gay BME community is a little under-represented / i’m only whining because I want to see more aesthetically pleasing men, don’t make me get all Guerilla Girls on your asses!
Finally some more homo-content. The gay BME community is a little under-represented / i’m only whining because I want to see more aesthetically pleasing men, don’t make me get all Guerilla Girls on your asses!
I love his laugh too! Very cool interview.
I love his laugh too! Very cool interview.
great interview. i’m glad that someone was able to make contact with his roots and come to terms with his self after being given a negative implication by others.
great interview. i’m glad that someone was able to make contact with his roots and come to terms with his self after being given a negative implication by others.
where is the rest of the interview…this is the best thing I have seen here so far
where is the rest of the interview…this is the best thing I have seen here so far
I must have missed part of it on here but the ending on youtube deff made me smile…. this is one of my favs
I must have missed part of it on here but the ending on youtube deff made me smile…. this is one of my favs
Ohh man, im an Aussie living in the US, and Aussies are close with the kiwis. I love the fact that maori tribes and culture still exist in full force today in NZ – We dont see that in Aus (Aborigines) we dont see that here (Native Americans) so it is really a credit to the Maori natives for keeping the brits at bay and saying Fuck You – we will continue…
Ohh man, im an Aussie living in the US, and Aussies are close with the kiwis. I love the fact that maori tribes and culture still exist in full force today in NZ – We dont see that in Aus (Aborigines) we dont see that here (Native Americans) so it is really a credit to the Maori natives for keeping the brits at bay and saying Fuck You – we will continue…
His happiness and self acceptance is contagious.
When you look at him- his Ta Moko isn’t something separate from him- it’s part of him.
We should all strive to represent ourselves the same way.
His happiness and self acceptance is contagious.
When you look at him- his Ta Moko isn’t something separate from him- it’s part of him.
We should all strive to represent ourselves the same way.
kia ora!!
kia ora!!
The charm and honesty of the man came shining through. Great to see a guy at peace with himself, his world and his heritage. Nice laugh. Nice guy. Beautiful tattoos.
The charm and honesty of the man came shining through. Great to see a guy at peace with himself, his world and his heritage. Nice laugh. Nice guy. Beautiful tattoos.
Great interview, and quite informative I found. Good on him, and as said above – the tattoos are great.
Great interview, and quite informative I found. Good on him, and as said above – the tattoos are great.
that was deffenitly interesting, I learned a lot from a short film:)
and he’s…beautifull:d
After 2 seconds in the vid you still see the moko, but it’s so much part of his face that in the end the thing that hit me the most was the smile:d
perfect tattoo I would say:d
that was deffenitly interesting, I learned a lot from a short film:)
and he’s…beautifull:d
After 2 seconds in the vid you still see the moko, but it’s so much part of his face that in the end the thing that hit me the most was the smile:d
perfect tattoo I would say:d
That was a great post. Thanks Roo (and of course thanks to Clayton & Vic).
That was a great post. Thanks Roo (and of course thanks to Clayton & Vic).
Tumeke cuz.
Tumeke cuz.
I love his laugh too (I was going to mention it in the post, but figured you’d all feel the same, haha), I also loved how he said “transvestites”, he seems like such a nice chap!
I love his laugh too (I was going to mention it in the post, but figured you’d all feel the same, haha), I also loved how he said “transvestites”, he seems like such a nice chap!
Wonderful piece, thanks for sharing it. As noted earlier, his laugh is honest and absolutely infectious. I really liked learning about his moko as well, and the eagle’s relationship to the maori afterworld. Very cool.
Wonderful piece, thanks for sharing it. As noted earlier, his laugh is honest and absolutely infectious. I really liked learning about his moko as well, and the eagle’s relationship to the maori afterworld. Very cool.
Vic’s face adorns the cover of ‘Mau Moko’, which is the most comprehensive publication on the subject of Taa Moko published thus far. I recommend that anyone interested in the subject hunts down a copy of ‘Mau Moko’. It has a wonderful discussion with several Ta Moko artists on the subject of Ta Moko vs. Kirituhi (that is, the traditional tattooing of Maori vs. the tattooing of Paakehaa and Tauiwi with Maori motifs).
Takataapui is also a show on Whakaata Maori (Maori TV, the first and only Maori TV channel in Aotearoa/NZ) of which Vic co-hosts. Much like the Fa’afafine, who are a normal part of Samoan culture, takataapui were not traditionally reviled until the Christian missionaries arrived in Aotearoa with their “salvation” and their God.
I love seeing Maori talking about Ta Moko. It’s our place to speak about our traditions, no one else’s!
Kia ora koutou ki te iwi whanui o BME!
Vic’s face adorns the cover of ‘Mau Moko’, which is the most comprehensive publication on the subject of Taa Moko published thus far. I recommend that anyone interested in the subject hunts down a copy of ‘Mau Moko’. It has a wonderful discussion with several Ta Moko artists on the subject of Ta Moko vs. Kirituhi (that is, the traditional tattooing of Maori vs. the tattooing of Paakehaa and Tauiwi with Maori motifs).
Takataapui is also a show on Whakaata Maori (Maori TV, the first and only Maori TV channel in Aotearoa/NZ) of which Vic co-hosts. Much like the Fa’afafine, who are a normal part of Samoan culture, takataapui were not traditionally reviled until the Christian missionaries arrived in Aotearoa with their “salvation” and their God.
I love seeing Maori talking about Ta Moko. It’s our place to speak about our traditions, no one else’s!
Kia ora koutou ki te iwi whanui o BME!
Fucking awesome!!
What a great man, and a really cool little interview. It’s just so great to see your brothers represented, you know?
Fucking awesome!!
What a great man, and a really cool little interview. It’s just so great to see your brothers represented, you know?
Fascinating! He seems awesome, is it just me who wants to shake his hand or give him a big hug? Haha
Fascinating! He seems awesome, is it just me who wants to shake his hand or give him a big hug? Haha
I discoverd Maori culture when I travelld around New-Zealand. And I must say that knowing some of them… they are absolutly charming people, And I LOVE their accent. Here is a perfect exemple… always smiling, they love their culture and it goes like this from father to childs. Its a pitty that I cant say that I like being an American, I’d love to have some strong roots like they have. Maybe thats what make them so loveable. Gorgeous Tattoo! Kia Ora
I discoverd Maori culture when I travelld around New-Zealand. And I must say that knowing some of them… they are absolutly charming people, And I LOVE their accent. Here is a perfect exemple… always smiling, they love their culture and it goes like this from father to childs. Its a pitty that I cant say that I like being an American, I’d love to have some strong roots like they have. Maybe thats what make them so loveable. Gorgeous Tattoo! Kia Ora
I love the way people have this romanticism about Maori. Always smiling? Nah bro, come to Palmerston North and take a stroll around Awapuni and Highbury. Aside from the lil gangstas and gang prospects, the unemployed and sometimes homeless who beg for spare change in the main street aren’t ever smiling. And if you ever smile at them, best prepare for a beat down.
Not all Maori love their culture either. Fuck all of us can speak our language and hardly any of us know what is tika/right when it comes to tikanga/customs. We’re heavily urbanized, devoid of our marae.
Sure, some of us are smiley happy people, but not all Maori are happy and charming. It’s the same as any grouping of people. It never ceases to amaze me how people will romanticize things, especially tourists who only ever see (for a day or so) the plastic culture sold to them in places like Whakarewarewa.
I love the way people have this romanticism about Maori. Always smiling? Nah bro, come to Palmerston North and take a stroll around Awapuni and Highbury. Aside from the lil gangstas and gang prospects, the unemployed and sometimes homeless who beg for spare change in the main street aren’t ever smiling. And if you ever smile at them, best prepare for a beat down.
Not all Maori love their culture either. Fuck all of us can speak our language and hardly any of us know what is tika/right when it comes to tikanga/customs. We’re heavily urbanized, devoid of our marae.
Sure, some of us are smiley happy people, but not all Maori are happy and charming. It’s the same as any grouping of people. It never ceases to amaze me how people will romanticize things, especially tourists who only ever see (for a day or so) the plastic culture sold to them in places like Whakarewarewa.
more things like this please!!!!!
more things like this please!!!!!
Very cool. 🙂
Very cool. 🙂
Jon P: What you say about the Maori is true to the first nation tribes here in the US. Lots of people romanticize us, even though the majority of us are so disassociated with the old ways that it doesn’t mean shit. I don’t even know the true name of one of the tribes I descend from, and I sure as hell am not a spiritual person.
This video, though, was awesome. More shit like this, and more queer oriented stuff if you get it!
Jon P: What you say about the Maori is true to the first nation tribes here in the US. Lots of people romanticize us, even though the majority of us are so disassociated with the old ways that it doesn’t mean shit. I don’t even know the true name of one of the tribes I descend from, and I sure as hell am not a spiritual person.
This video, though, was awesome. More shit like this, and more queer oriented stuff if you get it!
I made it sound overly pessimistic. The situation for Maori as a homogenous single grouping of people (which politically we are but socially we aren’t, Maori exist in iwi/tribes, mine being Ngaati Porou) is less so than the descendants of the colonisers, the Paakehaa, of which I am also descended.
Some of us know about our roots because we’ve researched and have the luxury of being able to know. For some people, just worrying about paying the bills and finding food for your kids takes precendent over a strong Maori idenity and knowing about their Maoritanga and all it entails.
I’m in agreement on one point though, its AWESOME to have Maori speaking about Maori things, as opposed to people who think they have some kind of deeper insight just because they came to Aotearoa for a week or two and saw some tourist sights.
I made it sound overly pessimistic. The situation for Maori as a homogenous single grouping of people (which politically we are but socially we aren’t, Maori exist in iwi/tribes, mine being Ngaati Porou) is less so than the descendants of the colonisers, the Paakehaa, of which I am also descended.
Some of us know about our roots because we’ve researched and have the luxury of being able to know. For some people, just worrying about paying the bills and finding food for your kids takes precendent over a strong Maori idenity and knowing about their Maoritanga and all it entails.
I’m in agreement on one point though, its AWESOME to have Maori speaking about Maori things, as opposed to people who think they have some kind of deeper insight just because they came to Aotearoa for a week or two and saw some tourist sights.
A post with a good looking guy and depth. I’m with #26 informative intersting posts like this should come around more often of course it requires people to submit and the rarity means people aren’t. An increase in queer related stuff would be good too.
A post with a good looking guy and depth. I’m with #26 informative intersting posts like this should come around more often of course it requires people to submit and the rarity means people aren’t. An increase in queer related stuff would be good too.
For Modblog to have more of this stuff, it requires that people go out and look for it. If you want to know more about Ta Moko, there are videos on YouTube. Most of the videos feature Darby Tuhaka (who is from my tribe) who claims to be world-renowned but isn’t. He’s a quack in the eyes of more reputable ta moko artists.
Check the videos featuring George Nuku, very very cool.
For Modblog to have more of this stuff, it requires that people go out and look for it. If you want to know more about Ta Moko, there are videos on YouTube. Most of the videos feature Darby Tuhaka (who is from my tribe) who claims to be world-renowned but isn’t. He’s a quack in the eyes of more reputable ta moko artists.
Check the videos featuring George Nuku, very very cool.
thanks roo, this is such an interesting and charming video.
thanks roo, this is such an interesting and charming video.
@jon p, thanks for the suggestions on literature/youtube videos…much appreciated.
@jon p, thanks for the suggestions on literature/youtube videos…much appreciated.
I forgot to mention so Icame back in case anyone else checks back there was a documentary I saw recently not mod related but about a navajo who discovered dance and went from the reservation to new york to become one of the greatest ballet dancers. He was gay and mentioned that in the navajo belief system homosexuals were respected for being unique. It was an episode of PBS’s Indepedent Lens titled “Water Flowing Together”
I forgot to mention so Icame back in case anyone else checks back there was a documentary I saw recently not mod related but about a navajo who discovered dance and went from the reservation to new york to become one of the greatest ballet dancers. He was gay and mentioned that in the navajo belief system homosexuals were respected for being unique. It was an episode of PBS’s Indepedent Lens titled “Water Flowing Together”
Just wanted to let everyone know that if you go here:
http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Arts_Photography/Art/Design/Textile_Costume/product_info/12038808/?ref=1163
They’ve got Mau Moko for 50% off today only. That’s NZ$32.99 = US$24.99!
Just wanted to let everyone know that if you go here:
http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Arts_Photography/Art/Design/Textile_Costume/product_info/12038808/?ref=1163
They’ve got Mau Moko for 50% off today only. That’s NZ$32.99 = US$24.99!
Sure, blame the colonizers.
No society has condoned homosexuality as a lifestyle because it is a poor evolutionary strategy for the race/ethnicity. The only reason it’s promoted in western culture is because social engineers are looking to destroy western civilization. I’ll give you a hint, they own the media.
Sure, blame the colonizers.
No society has condoned homosexuality as a lifestyle because it is a poor evolutionary strategy for the race/ethnicity. The only reason it’s promoted in western culture is because social engineers are looking to destroy western civilization. I’ll give you a hint, they own the media.