Nestled into the steep hillsides with magnificent views of Rio’s beautiful beaches and the Atlantic ocean are the Favela’s — home to the poor of Brazil. The largest Favela (slum) is Rocinha, home to some 50,000 people. The image above shows the small dwellings, stacked on top of each other like match boxes in disarray. Most of this construction is illegal, and they seem to have their own law and order.
The Favelas’ are run by gangs, and seldom do multiple gangs operate in the same neighborhoods. The police have a tendency to turn away and let the laws of nature, and survival take over.
Some of our group did a favela tour. I chose to stay back. Tourism of poverty does nothing for me. Seeing people living in squalor, and dilapidation is neither enchanting, nor poetic. To me it seemed voyeuristic at best. To look at misery and retreat to my luxury hotel seemed hypocritical.
These favelas’ are deeply rooted in the Brazilian life, with over 11 million people calling one home. Survival of the fittest seems to be the law of their land. Poverty and struggle seems to be their lot in life. There is no social mobility, and that is a sad commentary on the social structure of this country.
About Hemant Rustogi