The Ten Commandments of Brazil's Favelas

Favela

Informal urban settlements in Brazil, often impoverished.

Informant

Individual who provides information, often at risk.

Drug Leader

Head of drug trafficking operations in favelas.

Rap Songs Ban

Prohibition of songs referencing rival gangs.

Police Prohibition

Residents forbidden from contacting law enforcement.

Gun Hiding

Residents may need to conceal firearms at home.

Drug Boss

Local leader who arbitrates neighborhood disputes.

Local Employment

Businesses must hire residents from their favela.

Trafficker Authority

Traffickers dictate permissible crimes and punishments.

Punishments

Consequences for disobedience include violence or death.

House Painting

Residents paint homes alike to mislead police.

Informal Sector

Economic activities outside formal regulations.

Urban Primacy

Condition where one city dominates others in size.

Primate City

Largest city in a state, significantly larger than others.

Megacity

City with a population exceeding 10 million.

Megalopolis

Continuous urban area formed by multiple cities.

Squatter Settlement

Makeshift housing on illegally occupied land.

City of God

Famous favela in Rio de Janeiro, depicted in film.

Pacifying Police Units

Program aimed at reducing drug trade and violence.

Racial Diversity

Variety of ethnic groups within Latin American populations.

Colonialism Impact

Long-lasting effects of colonial rule on societies.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Forced migration of 12.5 million Africans to the Americas.

Indigenous Population Decline

90% reduction due to disease and violence.

Alberto Fujimori

Peruvian President elected in 1990.