Rocinha

rocinha

petra fantozzi

Because of the density of its population Rocinha is considered not only the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, but also throughout Latin America and The Americas. This growing “build-up” area is located in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone between the middle and upper class districts of São Conrado and Gávea.

Rocinha, like many other carioca favelas, conceals a multitude of activities and informal economies, which represents the basis of the informal economies of the metropolis itself. The presence of drug dealers keeps the population under control and rules the roost over all inhabitants.

The real order here is not that of the Prefeitura, but that of the drug dealers. The military police do not enjoy a good reputation here because of the frequent shootings (tiroteios) with criminal gangs. This situation causes a large number of prejudices with the rich inhabitants of the neighborhoods: the residents of Rocinha are considered lazy, involved in drug dealing and theft.

Moreover, this is not only the reality of the favela of Rocinha, but that of hundreds of favelas in Rio de Janeiro, however big or small they are. The difference is that everything in Rocinha is greatly amplified because of its enormous size, and is then taken as an example to discuss any other.

Petra Fantozzi Photography Š all rights reserved