Brazil’s Northeast is one of the country’s most culturally rich regions, the result of a mixture of indigenous, African and European influences. This diversity is reflected in the religion, architecture, cuisine, music, dance and handicrafts of the nine states that make up the region.
Religion is strong and syncretic. In Bahia, Candomblé has a strong presence, while Maranhão stands out for its Tambor de Mina. Religious festivals, pilgrimages and popular Catholicism are common throughout the Northeast, mixing faith and tradition.
The historical heritage is preserved in centres such as Pelourinho (BA), Olinda (PE) and São Luís (MA), which have been recognised by UNESCO. Baroque churches, adobe houses and colonial buildings tell the story of the region from Brazil’s earliest days.
The cuisine of the Northeast reflects its cultural diversity. Acarajé, vatapá, moqueca, baião de dois, bolo de rolo, arroz de cuxá and buchada de bode are typical dishes that combine local ingredients with Afro-Indian and European traditions.
The Northeast is home to rhythms such as forró, frevo, maracatu, axé, samba de roda and bumba-meu-boi. Music and dance are strong expressions of northeastern cultural identity and resistance.
Each state has its own speciality: lace and embroidery (CE), caruaru clay (PE), buriti (MA), wood and ceramics (BA) and sand bottles (RN). Handicrafts reveal the talents and stories of the people of the Northeast.
A symbol of resistance, faith and creativity, the Northeast is essential to understanding the cultural and historical formation of Brazil.
Discover the Sanctuary of Monte Santo in Bahia, a place of religious pilgrimage and tourism for centuries, set in the breathtaking landscape of the Serra do Piquaraçá. The architectural complex of the city of Monte Santo in Bahia is of great scenic and symbolic beauty, combining natural and cultural heritage, […]
European architecture has several architectural styles that have changed slowly over the centuries. Unlike other styles, such as fashion or furniture design, architectural styles change much more slowly over the centuries. However, the architectural style of a building can also tell us about the period in which it was built. […]
The culture of Northeastern Brazil is quite diverse, having been influenced by indigenous peoples, Africans and Europeans. Customs and traditions often vary from state to state. Being the first region actually colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who met the native populations and were accompanied by Africans brought […]
Northeastern music includes rhythms such as coco, xaxado, martelo agalopado, samba de roda, baião, xote, forró, axé and frevo, among others. The Armorial Movement of Recife, inspired by Ariano Suassuna, has carried out an erudite work to valorise this popular rhythmic heritage of the Northeast (one of its best known […]
From the arrival of the Portuguese colonisers in 1500 to Brazil’s independence, many important events marked the history of Brazil. These historical events were recorded in the works of painters such as Oscar Pereira da Silva, Victor Meirelles, Jean-Baptiste Debret, Manuel José de Araújo and Pedro Américo. Main historical events […]
A primeira missa no Brasil, realizada em 26 de abril de 1500, apenas quatro dias depois do desembarque dos portugueses em Porto Seguro, foi retratada por Victor Meirelles entre 1859 e 1861, enquanto o artista vivia em Paris. A pintura foi inspirada na carta escrita por Pero Vaz de Caminha […]
Jean-Baptiste Debret (1768-1848) was a renowned French, painter, draughtsman and lithographer, known for his significant contribution to the art and historical documentation of Brazil in the 19th century. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris and a student of Jacques-Louis David, he was initially known for his […]
Baroque architecture is an important part of Western history and has unique characteristics that marked the urbanisation of Europe and are even present in Brazil. The first signs of Baroque architecture can be found in works from the early 16th century, but it was not until the end of this […]
Popular art from the Northeast of Brazil reflects the vastness of its territory and the diversity of its culture, and some types of work can be found, with slight variations, in all the states. While relying on tradition, popular art of the Northeast discovers new languages, techniques and materials: the […]
The representation of Brazil through European eyes in the 17th century From the 16th century, conquerors began to interpret South America not only through words, but also through images. This process of visual representation gained momentum with the Dutch invasion of northeastern Brazil between 1630 and 1654, when European artists […]
The art of tiling would take root in the Iberian Peninsula under the influence of the Arabs, who brought the unknown mosaics to their conquered lands to decorate the walls of their palaces, making them shine and shine with a complex play of geometries. The style fascinated the Spaniards and […]
The Franciscan presence in Brazil can be traced back to the Discovery, when Friar Henry of Coimbra, a member of the Cabral’s Expedition, celebrated the First Mass on 22 April 1500, shortly after arriving at the bay of Port Seguro, in the south of what is now the state of […]
The colours of the facades of the houses and buildings preserve the identity of the colonial architecture of the Northeast. Many houses, buildings, and especially churches, convents, squares and streets, date from the time when Brazil was mainly colonised by the Portuguese. In addition, various other peoples, such as the […]
Rei Momo, Pierrô, Arlequim and Colombina are the best known and most traditional Carnival characters and can be seen at parties and in marchinhas. The colourful costumes of these characters gave rise to the costumes worn at Carnival balls and are part of the joys of this popular festival. Video […]
The Carnival of Salvador is a popular celebration that combines tradition, music and innovation and is one of the biggest and liveliest in the world. Its history includes several historical influences and the creation of the Trio Elétrico, which revolutionised the festival. The following are some of the highlights: Introduction […]
The 7 Northeastern rhythms and musical styles that are a hit in Brazil. The Northeast region of Brazil is characterised by its rich cultural diversity, uniquely expressed in its rhythms and musical styles. Made up of nine states with different historical, social and geographical characteristics, this region has developed over […]
Maracatu Rural is a traditional cultural manifestation that stands out in the city of Nazaré da Mata, located in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Originating from the rural region of Pernambuco, Maracatu Rural is a variation of Maracatu, a form of popular culture and Afro-Brazilian music and dance. Unlike Maracatu […]
Woodcut and Cordel Literature: The Art and Popular Tradition of the Northeast In the Northeast of Brazil, both cordel literature and woodcut play significant cultural roles and are deeply rooted in regional traditions. This symbiotic relationship between woodcut and cordel literature not only beautifies the pamphlets but also amplifies the […]
The underground of the northeastern hinterlands holds many treasures. Among them are emeralds, mined from depths of up to 150 metres. There are also natural caves, where researchers have found fossils of prehistoric animals and traces of Brazil’s ancient inhabitants. The subterranean labyrinths of the Sertões stretch for hundreds of […]
The history of the 8-bass accordion and its influence on Forró Nordestino The accordion, including models like the 8-bass accordion, is an aerophone musical instrument of German origin. Composed of a bellows, free reeds and two wooden harmonic boxes, the 8-bass accordion is fundamental to the forró, which marks the […]
Although the June Festivals are celebrated in all four corners of Brazil, it is in the Northeast that the festivities take on their greatest expression. The June Festivals in the Northeast of Brazil are one of the country’s most traditional and eagerly awaited celebrations, deeply rooted in the region’s popular culture. […]
Bobbin lace and embroidery: Techniques and Stories Bobbin lace and embroidery are among the most traditional handicrafts in the Northeast of Brazil, especially in Ceará. Bobbin lace is not only a source of income, but also a form of entertainment and a link between the women who have marked the […]
The Importance of Diógenes Rebouças in Bahian Architecture Diógenes Rebouças was undoubtedly the most renowned and influential architect in Bahia between the late 1940s and the early 1960s. Biography of Diógenes Rebouças Diógenes de Almeida Rebouças (Diógenes Rebouças) was born in 1914 on a farm in the Bahian municipality of […]
For many, the turban is a symbol of blackness, culture and beauty, but this accessory, full of meanings and functions, is also widely used by people from the East. As well as being a symbol of identity and tradition for many African cultures, the turban has a strong presence in […]
Graciliano Ramos left his mark on Brazilian literature with works that portrayed the life of the man from the northeast of Brazil in the sertão. The writer belonged to the 2nd phase of modernism, whose main characteristic was regionalism. Raquel de Queiroz, Jorge Amado and José Lins do Rego were […]
Lampião, the emblematic figure of the Cangaço, is often portrayed as a visionary, fearless and cunning warrior, but this heroic image has been increasingly challenged by contemporary historians. Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, the man behind the myth, not only orchestrated robberies and kidnappings, but also cultivated a scene of extreme […]
The Iemanjá Festival in Salvador de Bahia attracts thousands of Bahians and tourists who flock to the beaches of the Rio Vermelho on 2 February every year. Iyemanjá, Yemanjá, Yemaya, Iemoja or Yemoja, is an African orisha whose name derives from the Yoruba expression “Yèyé omo ejá” (“Mother whose children […]
The Monte Pascoal National Park is located in the extreme south of Bahia, between the cities of Porto Seguro and Prado, and covers an area of 22,383 hectares. Its natural area offers a great variety of landscapes and unique scenic beauties, such as the Beach of Aldeia de Barra Velha, […]
Candomblé: An Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé is an Afro-Brazilian religion that developed in the 19th century, particularly in Brazil, from a mixture of African religious traditions brought by slaves, mainly from the region of modern-day Benin and Nigeria, with elements of Catholicism and indigenous traditions. Origins and cultural resistance Its origins […]
Capoeira in Salvador: An authentic martial art Salvador, in Bahia, is one of the birthplaces of capoeira and offers numerous opportunities to see this martial art in its most authentic setting. The city is home to many renowned capoeira groups and historical sites where capoeira is practised regularly. The history […]
Iemanjá, thousands of Bahians and tourists flock to the beaches of Rio Vermelho in Salvador every year on 2 February. The goddess Iemanjá Iyemanjá, Yemanjá, Yemaya, Iemoja or Yemoja is an African orisha whose name derives from the Yoruba expression “Yèyé omo ejá” (“Mother whose children are fish”). Identified in […]
Due to its origins, Umbanda is a truly Brazilian religion. Umbanda is a Brazilian religion that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century and is characterised by a mixture of elements from Spiritism, Afro-Brazilian cults, indigenous traditions and Catholic influences. It seeks to promote charity, peace and harmony among […]
Salvador: A destination for religious tourism Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is one of the main destinations for religious tourism in Brazil, reflecting its rich historical and cultural heritage. Church and Spirituality Religious tourism in Salvador takes place in more than 300 secular churches. It is often said in the […]
The importance of music in Candomblé In Candomblé, music plays a fundamental role in the invocation of the orixás, who act as intermediaries between humans and the gods. Spiritual connection Through rhythms and chants, followers establish a spiritual connection that allows the orixás to manifest. In the Bahia de Todos […]
The Baiana costume: A cultural expression The costume worn by baianas, often called baiano, reflects the influence of African culture in Brazil, combined with the swaying hips and swaying gait characteristic of samba. Traditional Baiana costume The traditional costume of the baiana is a set of traditional clothes and is […]
Acarajé: An expression of Afro-Brazilian tradition Much more than just a dish from Bahian cuisine, acarajé is a true expression of the rich Afro-Brazilian tradition. With roots in Africa, this delicacy symbolises the fusion of cultures and the resilience of Afro-descendant communities over the centuries. Street vendors in Salvador Sold […]
Afro-Brazilian Religions: A cultural and historical perspective Afro-Brazilian religions were born out of the contact brought about by slavery, when different African peoples met in Brazil. These groups ended up assimilating and exchanging similar elements of their cultures, resulting in a fusion of rites of different origins. In this way, […]
When the Portuguese colonists arrived in southern Bahia in 1500, the Brazilian coastal lands were occupied by the Tupi-Guarani Indians. Indigenous groups of the Bahian coast The predominant indigenous groups on the Bahian coast were the Tupiniquins and the Tupinambás. The Tupiniquins inhabited the strip from Camamu to Espírito Santo. […]
Afro hairstyles in Salvador have deep roots in African culture brought by enslaved peoples during the colonial period. These hairstyles are an essential part of the identity and resilience of African peoples and Afro-descendants in Bahia and Brazil as a whole. Video about Afro hair styles in Salvador Afro Hairstyles […]
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