My perception of favelas was of a very dangerous and violent place, where you dont go in alone, run by drug dealers with guns on the street. To be honest I only thought of the main characters in the public eye of the favelas (the gansters) and before I didn’t think about all the other people who were living there lives there separate of the drug situation, but involved through a consequence of living there.
Tabajaras
When I went into Tabajaras the first time i was scared about the unknown what I was going to find, it was like walking into a small village where I was the outsider the unknown and I saw a teenager of around 15 to 17 with blue sunglasses and a machine gun sitting on the street he looked at me with a ‘”I’m a celebrity, you’re here to see me, look” or so I perceived.
After this I wanted to know how things had got to this point where so many young tennagers were loosing their lives stationed at points with guns, and my curiosity turned from fear into interest. I moved into the favela a week later, and started to feel accustomed, was welcomed by some into the community warmly and met very kind and generous people who were curious about me and what I was doing there . My awareness of danger changed, being an outsider, there is a rule in the favela not to talk about the faction (gang) who is ruling the favela (its a dictatorship). No one talked directly to me about what was going on, through fear of trust and a silence. I was hearing lots of things going on, small 12 yr old being killed for stealing, first time he was beaten, the second time killed. Gun shots were going off and it was difficult to find out why. You need the info to keep safe.
It’s really complicated living in the favela run by gansters there are positives and negatives, the amazing people, so generous and warm, get over looked because the spot light is put on the celebrities (the gansters)
When I was in Tabajaras, I saw the direct effects of drugs, for expample, young teenagers, beautiful adults, and old people smoking crack on the street, as other mothers were walking their children past them in the street. A shot goes off in the middle of the day ,and by accident one of the gansters has shot a hole in his friends face, the friend was been rushed to the hospital and the police came, and now a war has started, no one leaves their house.
Also saw a boy of around 10 or 11 so badly beaten walking down the street he looked like an alien, I will never forget this image ,my friend walked over a dead body in the street when she came to visit me. Both of us, did nothing to help these people, because innocently if you do, and you go to the police (normal response) the war starts you will be held responsible, bad for business, and they’ll get rid of you. Its crazy!
I’m talking about negatives more then positives, because to be honest these images are in my mind so strongly. But I have so many good memories, of the rain pouring, running into a bar, naturally 4 or 5 teenage boys came in and started playing music and we were all laughting and talking, there is a closeness in a favela and community that I havent found anywhere else. Poverty, but an absolute generousity that I havent found anywhere else, and kindness. The kids are energetic, open to talk, curious and laughter, music and dance, and noise are common every day parties.
The first time I went to a party in the favela was a family party and I felt so welcomed and they were so kind to me, it was one of the best nights I’ve had in Rio, we had a great night, danced, ate, drunk, and talked.
My landlady took on a motherly role, and people seem to have more time for one another, content on hanging out, socializing and talking on the street, it’s more intimate, and more human contact. People live in such close proximity, people say hello, know your family life history, etc, so gossip and talking is a natural course, so is if some thing bad happens, or if you need anything, people come together and help.
Tavaras Bastos is a completely lighter engery and one I wish for every favela in Rio, all of the good aspects of favelas, and not the regular deaths and gunshots that go on else where. I feel so much more comfortable here, there is less of an edge and it’s an easier life.
There is music every night, dance, sense of community. The struggles go on, sometimes no water for a week, or no eletricity, or money worries, but at the same time, you’re not exposed to drugs on the street or violence or arms. This makes for a better envioroment for kids to grow up in.
I’m very happy here living in Tavaras and sometimes can forget about the other troubles going on in other favelas, which is not good as just because I dont see it on a daily basis doesn’t mean it doesnt go on…. where as before I was very much aware of it, it’s difficult to know, how I would feel being born in a favela, because I would be a different person, but I feel fortunate to have met so many wonderful people who have welcomed me and showed me a more open and communicative, generous way of living. It still amazes me how people with hardly anything share what they have, and when people have so much can be very selfish. Strange one…
WHAT DID I DO
I was working as a volunteer teaching english, community work restoring a community center, organizing fundraisers in Tabajaras, Parada de Lucas and Tavaras Bastos, somethiing that I would recommend to everyone. It’s been an amazing experience. The people are amazing and I have met life long friends here.
WOULD I RECOMMEND VISITORS TO STAY IN A FAVELA
Only clued up visitors, you need to respect the favelas more than the outside, and sometimes it’s difficult to know all the rules. There is more risk at being caught in the cross fire some where. Its difficult some of the things I saw in Tabajaras will always stay with me and were disturbing to me.
I would recommend EVERYONE to stay in a favela if it was ganster free and without the everyday wars that go on, but to be honest I wouldnt want my family living in a favela run by gansters, at the same time I wouldn’t want to live outside a favela in Rio, it becomes a confusing and contradicting situation.
When people do have the opportunity to get out of the favela and become wealthy, through business, usually film, music or football, some choose to stay living in the same favela, all their friends, families and community are there, it’s a lifestyle and culture, that maybe moving to fit in with the other culture, Ipanema apartment, is harder to do.
I could write alot more, and at the same time, these are my views, from my perpective, living and visiting the favela is so different I will never know what it feels like to be born into the culture, I will always feel differently, it’s a very individual experience depending on the person as well.
I hope this is ok, and I didn’t go on too much, it’s hard to give an opinion to a situation that I still find so facinating and complex, but I love living where I’m living at the moment and wouldn’t change it, if you offered me a rich apartment block in Urca, for me this place doesnt have life, and its like self built prison with armed gaurds in the street. Both are crazy solutions. Why is there the need for all this protection, bits of paper called money that we have put this imaginary value to, that without it, we can’t do anything…..
anyways probably boring you now,
but seriously if i can help or you have any more questions just ask
peace and love and light
{ 1 comment }
