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.

Members of the Shanxi Folk Dance and Music Troupe perform during a rehearsal before a show at the Orient Museum in Lisbon February 1, 2016. The show is part of the Chinese New Year Celebrations program of Orient Museum in Lisbon. (Photo by Rafael Marchante/Reuters)

A Chinese tourist wears a mask as she arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport during a welcome ceremony of Chinese Lunar New Year travellers in Bangkok, Thailand on January 22, 2020. (Photo by Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

Miss California Jessa Carmack during swimsuit competition at Miss America 2017 pageant, Sunday, September 11, 2016, in Atlantic City, N.J. (Photo by Noah K. Murray/AP Photo)

Azalea, whose Korean name is “Dalle”, a 19-year-old female chimpanzee, lights a cigarette at the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. According to officials at the newly renovated zoo, which has become a favorite leisure spot in the North Korean capital since it was re-opened in July, the chimpanzee smokes about a pack a day. They insist, however, that she doesn’t inhale. (Photo by Wong Maye-E/AP Photo)

Tara West signals to her partner Natalie Cook during the Bronze final match during the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships at Glenelg Beach on March 13, 2011 in Adelaide, Australia.

A rebel fighter celebrates as his comrades fire a rocket barrage toward the positions of troops loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi April 14, 2011 west of Ajdabiyah, Libya. Rebels exchanged artillery and rocket fire with loyalist troops west of Ajdabiyah April 14 as the confict engulfing Libya continued. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)