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 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)

A newly married bride is seen after a mass wedding ceremony in which 2,016 couples participated, at Zocalo square in Mexico City, Mexico, March 19, 2016. Thousands of couples took part in a mass wedding ceremony Saturday in Mexico City. More than 5,000 people descended on Mexico City’s central square for the festivities. Among them were 2,165 couples ready to get married. (Photo by Edgard Garrido/Reuters)

Ethnic Uyghur tourists guides wait to perform in a show for Chinese tourists on June 29, 2017 in the old town of Kashgar, in the far western Xinjiang province, China. Kashgar has long been considered the cultural heart of Xinjiang for the province's nearly 10 million Muslim Uyghurs. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Granada’s International Poetry Festival is an extraordinary celebration of poetry that takes place across the entire city. For a week, every February, Granada is transformed into a virtual Capital of the World’s Poetry. Photo: A girl takes part in the “Burial of arrogance and haughtiness” carnival during the IX Poetry Festival in Granada, 45 km from Managua, Nicaragua on February 20, 2013. In this occasion the festival is dedicated to Nicaraguan poet Ernesto Cardenal. (Photo by Hector Retamal/AFP Photo)

Zoee Heath of New South Wales competes in the womens U18 discus throw during day two of the Australian Junior Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre on March 11, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.