Touring Rio's Favela

Not everything associated with Rio's image is gorgeous and beautiful. Favela, the ghetto shantytown built on hills is also what comes to mind when we think of Rio. Do you remember Michael Jackson's music video "They Don't Care about Us"? Yes, it was made in a Rio favela. What about the extremely violent (but stylish) recent movie "City of God" (which was nominated 4 Oscar in 2003)? Yes, the lawless communities it described are the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

"Favela" originally means "wild flower" in Portuguese. Because poor migrants build up their communities on the hills, their communities expand so fast just like wild flowers growing and spreading all over.

It was a quite interesting experience to visit Rio's shantytown. Usually, especially in extremely wealthy cities like San Francisco, only the well-off can afford to live on a hill overlooking the ocean. However, wealthy people in Rio live on the lower ground and the hilly slopes are 'reserved' for poor favelas. We were arranged to visit Rocinha, possibly the largest favela in Rio. We had a guide from their community to take us for a walk (it is said to be unsafe for an outsider just wander into a favela). We had opportunities to see local grocery stores, gathering places, community centers, and even clinics (just from outside). To be honest, aside from it is a little crowded, this favela doesn't look too bad at all. People were especially friendly and curious about us. The inner city community in Baltimore looks far menacing and dangerous, really....

Please click the thumbnail on the pictures to see enlarged images

Rocinha favela community has their own Samba School too. They did compete in the finals at Sambodromo in 2006. This is where their practice.

We were walking from the flatland towards the hills.

They also have their own football (soccer) field for kids to practice. Many kids of course dream about becoming a big stars like Ronaldinho and Ronaldo.

A typical small alley of a favela. In fact, many hilly towns in Taiwan (including Jiou-Fun/九份) have streets like this...it feels sort of like home for me.

A Panoramic view of Rocinha Favela.

There is also large, multi-level buildings in the favela. I think this is a medical clinics.

Looking down to the Sea from the favela. The more affluent community occupies those high-rise buildings between the favela and the Sea.

Adorable kids in the favela. They like to be photoed I heard. Mmm...they have Volkswagen Beetle here?