Doesn’t Rio das Pedras sound like a place of legends? Rio das Pedras is a large favela in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone. It sits nestled between Itanhangá, Jacarepaguá, and Anil. Tijuca National Park, Tijuca Lagoon and private land mark Rio das Pedras’ borders.
Rio das Pedras has its own unique identity despite the prevalence of “Tijuca” in defining its space and history. Favelas often grow due to construction projects, urbanization and job cycles. Rio das Pedras is no different. It grew with Barra da Tijuca in the 1970s and 1980s because the suburb needed more labor.
Rio das Pedras got its name from the river running through it. The river starts in the Tijuca Forest. Locals once bathed and washed clothes in its clean waters. Today, the river is like an open sewage canal. Concrete lines it until it meets the Tijuca Lagoon.
Over 55000 people live in Rio das Pedras. The community covers 90 hectares. It divides into two main areas. The northern area is more consolidated. The southern area has less developed infrastructure. Residents see sub communities like Areal 1, Areal 2, Areinha, Casinhas, Pinheiro and Pantanal. Rua Nova, Rua Velha and Engenheiro are the main roads.
Rio das Pedras saw one of the first militias in the state. These were vigilante off duty “cop gangs”. As a result, drug trafficking gangs are absent here. Residents knew what trafficking could do. They were wary as the favela grew in the 1980s. Militias aimed to stop drug trafficking. They stepped in because of inadequate formal security. Homeowners in Rio das Pedras pay a “security fee” to the militia. This has kept drug trafficking away. But militias also brought restrictions, corruption and violence.
Historically, workers came from northeastern Brazil. Today, many Rio das Pedras inhabitants are migrants. They knew someone who recommended living here. People still arrive on the three day Itapemirim bus from Ceará state. The original migrants shaped the local culture that defines Rio das Pedras today.
You can feel the northeastern culture in the small businesses. Granjas lets you pick your live chicken. Casas do Norte sells only northeastern products. Street vendors offer tapioca pancakes. Cariocas widely enjoy this northeastern food.
The local economy thrives in Rio das Pedras. It acts as a central hub for smaller favelas. Muzema and others benefit. Many residents own businesses and shop locally. This keeps money circulating in the community. Some say Rio das Pedras hasn’t been hit as hard by Brazil’s economic crisis. The 2022 Census showed Rio das Pedras has 23846 housing units. Rocinha has the most with 30371. Sol Nascente follows with 21889.