Since the end of the 19th century, the city has been home to various cultural institutions. The Instituto do Ceara (Ceara Institute) was established in 1887, and conducts research in history, geography and anthropology. The Academia Cearense de Letras (Cearense Academy of Letters) was the first institution of the sort in the country, established on August 15, 1894. In 1892, Fortaleza was the site of a cultural movement of literary expression called "Spiritual Bakery". There are many other cultural centres, including the Banco do Nordeste Cultural Centre and the Dragao do Mar Center of Art and Culture. The folklore of Fortaleza is rich and diverse, and has roots in a mixture of beliefs originating from white colonisers and native groups. Minor, but also considered important, are Syrian-Lebanese and African traditions.
Some of the cultural manifestations are:
Bumba-meu-boi or Boi-Ceara: songs and dances of a religious cult to the ox, with Portuguese roots.
Torem: dance originated by the tremembes.
Violeiros, cantadores and emboladores: musical manifestations expressing social criticism, has typical northeast origins.
Maracatu: Dance and music, the Fortaleza maractu is of the Baque Virado or Naçao lines and is celebrated during carnivals.
Dança do coco: originated by Afro-Brazilians. On the beach it is just for men and in the hinterland it is danced in pairs
