Favela's are the poorest areas in Rio. We'd call them slums. They originated because of a Brazilian law allowing you to assume ownership of public land if you build a house on it and live there for 5 years. The poor build make-shift houses up the side of hills and it grows... 20% of Rio's population of 6 million live in the hundreds of favela's. They are typically run by drug lords who sell drugs freely in these areas through bribing the police. It's actually quite well organized chaos.
I took a tour of 2 favel's with a great guide today (Madson, www.favelatour.com.br 3322-2727). We learned how the community works and the socio/political implications. It was fascinating.
Last night we went on a group outing to a huge club in the largest favela, The Rocinha. There are over 200,000 residents in this hillside community which overlooks Rio. The club was a mass of humanity and the most fun ever! The hip hop/house/Brazilian pop music filled the warehouse and it was all about the dancing. Man can those Brazilian's move! It was a wild experience of passion and abandon that I'll never forget. I'm now a true favela fan!
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