Favelas

20.06.2012 19:22

I’m learning a lot about favelas here in Brazil, and there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. From a distance they look like a clutter of shacks; up close the housing looks piecemealed together, battered by the environment, and begging for care. But despite their seemingly static, run down appearance, favelas represent a process.  A drought, for example, can drive families from the interior into cities looking for work. Since favelas are often loosely restricted in terms of land use, one might find an abandoned structure and make his home. Once settled working, more family members might join and add on to original home. One of the first material items a favela family might buy is a big, nice television. Surprising? It’s become an extremely important point of connection for otherwise marginalized individuals. Daily news, telenovelas, (not to be confused with American soap operas), and educational programs are tantamount. Despite their reputation of being infested with crime and ridden of drugs—which granted, many are—favelas are communities where people live and die, make friends and have families, and live life fully despite the circumstances. The photo below is one of Salvador’s favelas in an area that was just forest land until fairly recently when a drought drove more people into the city seeking food, work, and opportunity.