São Luís and Maranhão radio stations
0 · List updated on November 3, 2026No stations found. Try another name or remove a filter.
Culture
The capital of Maranhão sits on an island and is the only Brazilian state capital founded by the French. In 1612, Daniel de La Touche, Lord of La Ravardière, built a fort here for France Équinoxiale and named the place after King Louis XIII. The Portuguese took the city in 1615, and between 1641 and 1644 it was briefly under Dutch rule. The historic centre, in the Praia Grande quarter, holds a large ensemble of Portuguese colonial architecture, with mansions whose façades are covered in azulejo tiles, which earned it the nickname City of Tiles. In 1997 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 19th century its literary life brought another nickname, the Brazilian Athens, and today it is also called the Island of Love and the Brazilian Jamaica. June is the most awaited month. During the São João festivals, open-air party grounds (arraiais) spread across the island and Bumba meu boi groups take to the streets in their sotaques, the styles of each group, such as matraca, zabumba and orquestra, telling the story of the death and resurrection of an ox. Since 2019 the Cultural Complex of Bumba meu boi of Maranhão has been on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Tambor de crioula, an Afro-Brazilian circle dance honouring Saint Benedict, happens all year round.
Things to see
Local food
- Arroz de cuxá — Rice with sorrel (vinagreira) leaves, sesame, dried shrimp and cassava flour. The signature dish of Maranhão.
- Shrimp pie — Shrimp baked with beaten eggs.
- Maranhão fish stew — Fish stewed with vegetables, served with a cassava-flour porridge (pirão).
- Juçara — The local name for açaí, eaten with coarse cassava flour and dried shrimp or fried fish.
- Guaraná Jesus — The pink soft drink created in São Luís, with hints of clove and cinnamon.
Accent and slang
- “Égua!”
- An exclamation of surprise, delight or outrage.
- “Ludovicense”
- Someone from São Luís (from Ludovicus, Latin for Louis).
- “Tu vais”
- Locals use "tu" (you) with the matching verb form, which is rare in Brazil.
- “Brincante”
- Someone who dances and takes part in Bumba meu boi.
- “Sotaque”
- In Bumba meu boi, the style of each group, with its own instruments and rhythm.
- “Radiola”
- The wall of loudspeakers that plays reggae at clubs and parties.
Tip: play a local news station to hear the accent.
Local music
Reggae reached São Luís in the 1970s and became part of the island's identity, earning it the nickname of the Brazilian Jamaica. Here it is danced close, in couples, at clubs and parties powered by radiolas, the big sound systems. In June the sound is that of the matracas, zabumbas and big frame drums of Bumba meu boi, and tambor de crioula plays all year round. Maranhão also gave Brazil voices such as Alcione, João do Vale and Zeca Baleiro. Maranhão radio plays reggae, forró, brega, MPB, gospel and news.
More cities
Sources: Wikivoyage — São Luís (CC BY-SA) · Wikipedia — São Luís (Maranhão) (CC BY-SA) · UNESCO — Centro Histórico de São Luís.