Perhaps the name Morro dos Macacos conjures images of playful monkeys. It might surprise you that the name comes from the many monkeys once living in this area.
Morro dos Macacos is a favela in Rio de Janeiro’s Vila Isabel neighborhood. It forms the Complexo dos Macacos with Parque Vila Isabel and Pau da Bandeira. Let’s uncover the story of this community.
Back in 1565, the Companhia de Jesus owned this land. They established the Fazenda dos Macacos here. In 1759, the Portuguese Crown seized the land. This happened after expelling the order by the Marquês de Pombal.
Dom Pedro I offered the land to the Duchess of Bragança in 1829. João Batista Viana Drummond bought the farm in 1872. He installed a tram line with animal traction. Drummond founded the Companhia Arquitetônica to sell lots. He transformed Redentora Isabel into Brazil’s first planned neighborhood. Vila Isabel got its name after Princess Isabel signed the Lei do Ventre Livre. The signing date became the official anniversary of the neighborhood.
The first residents of Morro dos Macacos were former Fazenda dos Macacos residents. Police officers and forest guards working there also helped populate the Morro dos Macacos. In the 1920s, descendants of enslaved people and northeastern Brazilians moved here.
Early homes were made of wood, leaves, cloth and mud. Residents got water from Borda do Mato. They also got it from the fire department and a sanitary water factory. People used lamps for light. The city tore down houses often. So people built them at night. Eventually, brick houses replaced the older ones. Those with early access to electricity shared or rented it to others.
Residents say Carlos Lacerda and Brizola made significant improvements. The Favela-Bairro II project also helped. Residents organize into centers and associations. They pool resources. They pressure the government for local improvements. Parts of Morro dos Macacos are at risk of landslides.
Morro dos Macacos had a strong samba culture. This influenced the Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school. By the 2020s, rap and funk became the community’s preferred music.
The Complexo dos Macacos was controlled by Amigo dos Amigos. It has a rivalry with Morro São João. Comando Vermelho controlled that area. On October 17, 2009, Comando Vermelho invaded Morro dos Macacos. Traffickers shot down a military police helicopter.
On November 30 of the same year, the 13th Pacifying Police Unit was opened. It is also known as UPP do Morro dos Macacos. Brazilian newspapers reported violence decreased with the UPPs arrival. The favela began its formalization process. Martinho da Vila returned to Morro dos Macacos in 2012. He had been away for over ten years. Despite this, armed conflicts still occurred. These included the death of the residents association’s former president.
Armed conflicts have occurred again on Morro dos Macacos. A confrontation with police on March 6, 2021, left five dead. Police said they only returned fire. But residents claimed at least two of the dead were not involved in drug trafficking. Terceiro Comando Puro took control of Morro dos Macacos. In May 2022, there was a gunfight with high-caliber weapons against Comando Vermelho. It lasted at least eight days. In June 2023, Comando Vermelho tried another attack. In June 2024, Comando Vermelho attacked the Complexo do Chapadão. They also attacked several communities in Jacarepaguá and Morro dos Macacos.
Today, Morro dos Macacos carries a rich history. It is a story of resilience, culture and change.