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)

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.