The long and intriguing story of the origine of the indigenous Maori people can be traced back to the 13th century, the mythical homeland Hawaiki, Eastern Polynesia. Due to centuries of isolation, the Maori established a distinct society with characteristic art, a separate language and unique mythology. Defining aspects of Maori traditional culture include art, dance, legends, tattoos and community. While the arrival of European colonists in the 18th centure had a profound impact on the Maori way of life, many aspects of traditional society have survived into the 21th century.

In this Monday, March 10, 2014 photo, a 9,000 year-old mask is on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The exhibition called “Face To Face” shows eleven stone masks, said to have been discovered in the Judean desert and hills near Jerusalem, which date back 9,000 years and offer a rare glimpse at some of civilization's first communal rituals. (Photo by Tsafrir Abayov/AP Photo)

Brazilian farmer Jander Santos de Souza (R) checks his corn plantation which is inundated with floodwaters from the Solimoes River, in the rural municipality of Manacapuru, Amazonas state May 5, 2015. According to the association of farmers in the community, about 70 percent of the agricultural production was lost due to the flooding. (Photo by Bruno Kelly/Reuters)

Dancers take part in the Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) street parade of ethnic minorities, in Berlin, Germany, May 24, 2015. A few dozen dancers, musicians and performers from dozens of communities took part in the urban festival on Sunday that aspires to reflect the multi-ethnic diversity of the German capital. (Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

A student is assisted by teachers after she fell ill while marching in a parade celebrating Saint Peter's day in Lima, Peru, Monday, June 29, 2015. During the feast day of the Catholic saint, who is the patron saint of fishermen, coastal communities pay homage to St. Peter, whose statue is paraded to the sea and petitions are made to keep their vessels and all who work on them safe. (Photo by Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo)

English singer Dua Lupa, 25, poses in Puma Mayu trainers in her latest advertising campaign for the brand in Herzogenaurach, Germany on August 16, 2021. The singer posed in the new suede trainers and a black skirt and top with chainmail underneath. Dua Lipa is featured in Puma's latest women's brand campaign “She Moves Us”, which, celebrates women who move together to achieve and connect through fashion, community and sport. (Photo by Mario Sorrenti)

Ma Jiaqi, 5, and her mother arrive at Beijing Railway Station for their train to Changchun of Jilin province, in Beijing, China, January 25, 2016. According to traffic police, over 2.9 billion trips will be made around China during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, which started on January 24. (Photo by Jason Lee/Reuters)

A car made from parts taken from used vehicles is shown in street Hefei, Anhui Province in China, on Oktober 21, 2013. The machine, which reaches 60 km/h, is the brainchild of self-taught inventor Zhu Runqiang. (Photo by Reuters/China Daily)

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