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.

Athletes vie for the ball during the Mud Olympics in Brunsbuettel, Germany, 30 July 2016. Since 2004, amateur athletes have been competing in various events at the mouth of the Elbe river on the North Sea. The proceeds are traditionally donated to the Schleswig-Holstein Cancer Society. (Photo by Daniel Bockwoldt/EPA)

A young reveller participates in the annual Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society's Children's Carnival Competition at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago February 18, 2017. (Photo by Andrea De Silva/Reuters)

A model wears a floral headdress at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower show in London, Britain, May 22, 2017. The prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, held annually since 1913 in the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds, is open to the public from the 23rd to the 27th of May, 2017. (Photo by Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Each winter, since 2009, the transport society of Budapest decorates its trams with more than 30 000 sparkling white and blue LED lights for Christmas. If the tram drives fast, it will turn into a wagon made of spurts of lights.

“Anime Expo, abbreviated AX, is an American anime convention held in Los Angeles, California and organized by the non-profit Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA)”. – Wikipedia. (Photo by Jim3535)

Children, wearing traditional Bavarian folk costumes specific to their region, prepare for the competition in the “Schuhplattler” style of Bavarian folk dancing for the Bavarian Lion Award at the Huosigau Heimat and Folklore Society on May 28, 2011 in Weilheim, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)