Northeastern culture is very diverse, as it has been influenced by indigenous peoples, Africans and Europeans.
Customs and traditions often vary from state to state.
Having been the first region to be effectively colonised by the Portuguese, back in the 16th century, who encountered the native populations there and were accompanied by Africans brought over as slaves, the culture of the Northeast is very particular and typical, although extremely varied.
It is based on Portuguese-Brazilian culture, with major African influences, especially on the coast from Pernambuco to Bahia and in Maranhão, and Amerindian influences, especially in the semi-arid hinterland.
Brazil’s northeastern culture is rich, diverse and deeply rooted in the traditions, history and experiences of the region’s people.
Composed of indigenous, African and European influences, Northeastern culture manifests itself in a variety of ways, including music, dance, cuisine, popular festivals, literature and the arts.
Popular music in northeastern culture includes rhythms such as coconut, xaxado, agalopado hammer, samba de roda, baião, xote, forró, Axé and frevo, among other rhythms.
Northeastern culture is a true celebration of the diversity and resistance of its people, reflecting an intangible heritage of great wealth and importance for Brazil and the world.
The Northeastern cuisine is a direct result of the socio-economic dynamics that have historically shaped the region. Its recipes incorporate elements of Portuguese cuisine, introduced during the colonial period; African food traditions, assimilated in the context of slavery; and Indigenous food, inherited from the indigenous populations. In general, the dishes […]
According to Simões (1980), the main characteristics that distinguished Portuguese tiles in the first 25 years of the 17th century were monumentality, suitability for architecture and modernity. Portuguese tiles arrived in Brazil at the same time as the other arts, following the same process of acculturation as in Portugal. In […]
Maranhão’s handicrafts have a rich tradition of more than 400 years, reflected in the variety of artifacts found in the historic centre of São Luís. This handicraft production is characterised by creativity and innovation, elements that have been refined since the founding of the capital of Maranhão. The wealth of […]
Pernambuco’s architecture is a rich mosaic of cultural influences, with a particular emphasis on the heritage of Arab architecture. Originating in the Iberian Peninsula, this influence shaped the architectural style of Portugal and left its mark on the buildings of Pernambuco, especially in Olinda. By exploring this link, we can […]
Discover the 12 most important historic cities in the Northeast of Brazil, built during the colonial period and still preserving a large part of their houses. The history of Brazil The history of Brazil is rich, extensive and full of contradictions. Developing a narrative that covers the details of the […]
The coast of Maranhão is famous for its incredible sand dunes, such as those in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, and for its lush mangroves. The beaches of this state are unique in the northeastern region of Brazil. On this stretch of the Brazilian coast, you can find almost deserted […]
The Pedra Caída Complex, located in Chapada das Mesas, in the state of Maranhão, is an unmissable attraction for visitors to the region. This place is ideal for nature lovers and those who want to relax in a lush natural environment. Tourist Structure The Pedra Caída Sanctuary is a large […]
The Chapada das Mesas National Park is one of Brazil’s most impressive tourist destinations, with sandstone formations dating back some 70 million years. With altitudes that can reach around 400 metres, its mountains, waterfalls, rivers and lakes offer visitors a unique and captivating experience. Location and access The park is […]
Tracunhaém: The capital of ceramics in Pernambuco Tracunhaém is a municipality in the state of Pernambuco, known for its rich clay handicrafts, especially its handmade ceramics. Located in the Agreste region of the state, the town has a strong tradition of handicraft production that goes back several generations. Video – […]
Tutóia is the gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses and the Parnaíba River Delta. The municipality of Tutóia, in Maranhão, is an ideal starting point for those who wish to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the Parnaíba River Delta. Geographically privileged, Tutóia is located opposite the Parnaíba River Delta […]
The Macapá Waterfall, located between the towns of Balsas and Nova Colinas, is one of the most impressive natural treasures in the southern region of Maranhão. With a height of over 80 metres, this magnificent waterfall stands out as the largest in the area, attracting visitors in search of adventure […]
The environmental wealth of Maranhão Maranhão is the synthesis state of Brazil. It combines the characteristics of the North, the Northeast and the Middle-West. Different nuances of climate, vegetation, hydrography, coastline, relief, history and culture blend together in a tropical tableau of colours, tastes, sounds, textures, smells and breathtaking landscapes […]
Tropical flowers of exuberant beauty will adorn many celebrations this New Year. The cultivation of these flowers plays a key role in the conservation of species. Much of the beauty of the Christmas celebrations in Southeast Brazil depends on the tropical flowers grown on a large scale in the Northeast. […]
Casa Grande & Senzala Casa Grande & Senzala was the work that made the Brazilian sociologist and writer Gilberto Freyre famous. This essay, published on 1 December 1933, deals with the formation and economic and social development of the Northeast during the colonial era. The importance of Casa Grande and […]
The São Jorge dos Erasmos sugar mill was built in the newly founded town of São Vicente. The São Jorge dos Erasmos sugar mill was the third sugar mill to be built in Portuguese America, located in the centre of the town of São Vicente, now in the municipality of […]
José Américo de Almeida: A literary and political legacy of the Brazilian Northeast José Américo de Almeida (1887-1980) was a Brazilian writer and politician. His work “A Bagaceira” launched the Northeast Regionalist Generation and is a social critique of the reality of rural workers in the region. He was elected […]
Rapadura: a traditional and nutritious sweet from Brazil The name rapadura, a variation of “raspadura” (from the verb raspar), refers to the scraping of the thick layers of sugar that stick to the walls of the pots used to make it. Origin and characteristics It is typical of the northeastern […]
The Trio Elétrico of musicians Dodô and Osmar celebrated their 64th anniversary in 2015, while axé celebrated its 30th anniversary. Without this sound truck, the Bahian Carnival would definitely not be the same. Carnival, one of Brazil’s largest popular festivals, is a vibrant reflection of the country’s culture and diversity, […]
The life and work of Jorge Amado: a legacy in Brazilian literature Birth and childhood Jorge Amado was born on 10 August 1912 on the Auricídia farm in the district of Ferradas, in the municipality of Itabuna, in the south of the state of Bahia. The farm was of great […]
Discover the wonders of the Carolina Waterfalls in Maranhão The Carolina Waterfalls are located in the Vale das Águas, in the extreme south of Maranhão, and the scenery is truly paradisiacal. Carolina is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Maranhão, located on the right bank of the Tocantins River. […]
Discover the wonders of Chapada das Mesas Chapada das Mesas is an environmental reserve covering 160,046 hectares of Cerrado. The Chapada is made up of the municipalities of Imperatriz, Tasso Fragoso, Estreito, Carolina, Riachão, Balsas, Formosa da Serra Negra, Fortaleza dos Nogueiras, Itinga do Maranhão, Campestre, Alto Parnaíba and Açailândia, […]
History of Carnival in Brazil Carnival, a festival of ancient Catholic tradition originating in Europe, is celebrated annually during the three days before Lent. Introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese colonisers, it was known as the Entrudo during the first centuries of colonial life. During this period, it was customary […]
The cultural aspects of the Northeast Region are well known for their strong and distinctive cultural aspect. The Northeast Region of Brazil consists of the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Its total area is 1,561,177km², similar to the area of […]
The Northeast is the third largest region in Brazil and the largest in number of states, with nine: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe. Its total area is 1,561,177 km², similar to the area of Mongolia. The region has 3,338 km of beaches, […]
History and origins of Northeastern literature: Biographies and contributions of the main authors The maturity of Brazilian literature Brazilian literature was born mature, expressing itself in the language of the 17th century – the Baroque – thanks to a writer from the Northeast, Gregório de Mattos. Since then, Northeastern literature […]
The architecture of the northeast has baroque buildings built by the sugar company mark the starting point of the long and varied path that northeastern architecture has travelled over five centuries. On the balconies of the sobrados of old São Salvador there are memories of maidens from the time of […]
The plastic arts of the Northeast have received outside influences and information and have helped to build a genuinely Brazilian and local art – a process of appropriation and re-creation that goes back to the colony. The European artists who accompanied Maurício de Nassau during the Dutch occupation of Pernambuco […]
Music, rhythms and dances of the Northeast: A Celebration of Brazilian Culture It’s impossible to think about Brazilian culture without considering the music and rhythms of the Northeast. The themes and inventiveness of Northeastern music represent a mixture of influences, where tradition and innovation coexist. Cultural influences Throughout Brazil, the […]
The history of the Northeast begins with the discovery of Brazil, and the Northeast owes its birth and development to the sugar industry. Point zero of Brazilian history was in the Northeast, the history of the Northeast owes its birth and development to the sugar mill. Today, the region still […]
Discover the wonders of the Brazilian Northeast: A paradise of beaches, culture and history The Northeast is the Brazilian region that receives the most tourists, both domestic and foreign. The reasons are obvious: every corner of its immense coastline is capable of gracing the pages of tourist supplements and magazines. […]
Discover the wonders of Maranhão: Ecosystems, culture and unforgettable tourist attractions Maranhão has a rich ecosystem made up of mangroves, beaches, rivers, waterfalls and a tropical desert. The state is also characterised by the meeting of the ancient and the modern. In Maranhão, there is a mix of baroque tiles […]
1671 Map of Mexico and Central America “Yucatan Conventus Iuridici Hispaniae Novae Pars Occidentalis, et Guatimala Conventus Iuridicus”,
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