Maranhão is a State with rhythms etched out of the confluence of three races, the white European, the black African and the native Indian. From the symbiosis of these races have emerged the rich and diversified cultural manifestations expressed in colors, rhythms and dances In February the island of São Luis explodes in a contagious revelry. It's a carnival that competes with the same animation and joyfulness of Olinda and Salvador carnivals.

On the streets you see the processions of "buffers' (fofões), carriage parades, blocks and tribes, and other local groups that go along the streets of the city making the joy of those participating or viewers coming from all corners of Brazil and the world. A festivity that will most certainly enthrance you.

During June Maranhão brightens up and become a huge campfire with the Junine festivities. Most especially in São Luis all the popular manifestations'richness takes by assault the city's streets, stages and plazas. The celebrations to Saint Anthony, Saint Peter, Saint Marçal, Saint Benedict and Saint Gonçalo mix up sounds, dances the most colorful costumes and garments.

Creole Drum, Lele dance, Pit Stone, Portuguese dance, Saint Gonçalo dance, Coconut dance, Cacuriá and Bumba-Meu-Boi are some of the dancing styles that invite the public to get into the dancing and playing mood in any of the many campfires throughout the city.

Bumba-meu-boi, a folklore tradition existing in other parts of the country, displays here very specific characteristics and the main one of them is that it is expressed in three very different styles and referred to as 'Sotaque' (Brogue). These are the brogues of Zabumba, Matraca and Orchestra, each one with a very distinct regional origin differentiated by the musical expression, each one valuing up a rhythm or a musical instrument.

Besides other cultural events that fill up the whole annual calendar of the State, carnival and the Junine festivities are the two strongest and more expressive manifestations of the Maranhão's culture.

Those valuing the cultural aspect of their trip or merely enjoying a revelry, carnival or Junine, cannot miss the festivals of Maranhão.

Albeit not in the media, which somewhat preserves its spontaneousness and originality, these celebrations are in the soul and roots of this land's people who know how to enjoy themselves quite well.

You are only requested to bring along joyfulness and disposition to take part in these celebrations.