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.

A man dressed as a devil poses next to a grafitti of late rebel hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara in the indigenous community of Monimbo in Masaya, Nicaragua, October 16, 2015. People prepare to participate in the popular annual festival called "The Aguizotes" held on the last Friday of October, where residents dress up as characters from legends and folklore mythology of Nicaragua. (Photo by Oswaldo Rivas/Reuters)

Highland dancers compete at Inveraray Highland Games on July 19, 2022 in Inveraray, Scotland. The games are held in the grounds of Inveraray Castle celebrate Scottish culture and heritage with field and track events, piping, highland dancing competitions and heavy events including the world championships for tossing the caber. (Photo by Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

A cheerleader jumps for joy before the start of the Pan-Am Games in Santiago, Chile on October 31, 2023. Thousands of athletes from across the Americas are competing before the Paris Games next year. The International Olympic Committee recognised cheerleading as an Olympic sport in 2021. (Photo by Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Cambodia’s Meth Sopheaktra and Pal Chhor Raksmy perform in the women's Vovinam self-defense event during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 8, 2023. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP Photo)

Vietnam's Khuat Phuong Anh (R) celebrates winning the women's 800m final during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on May 16, 2022. (Photo by Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters)

Girls of University of Cincinnati Stage Grecian Games on April 29, 1921. Garbed in costumes of ancient Greece, fair students of the University of Cincinnati, Ohio arranged a set of Grecian Games for the benefit of the University athletic fund. All of the girl students of the University, who take a great interest in outdoor games and athletics, took part in the games. The fund was greatly increased through the staging of the unique attraction and the girls purpose to give a return engagement. The accompanying photographs show the girl contestants in their Grecian costumes. Photo shows the start of the 100 yard dash. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Woman and man playing domination games in bed. (Photo by NDAB Creativity/Rex Features/Shutterstock)