the soldiers camped out and built temporary shacks at the base of  Providência hill, as it was near the offices of the Ministério da Guerra (ministry of war), waiting for a resolution to their situation and likely because there was some construction left after the removal of the Cabeça do porco, that was previously located at the base of providência hill.

the soldiers eventually renamed the providência hill as 'morro da favela,' in reference to a location where they fought the canudos war that was replete with a plant called 'favela' (Cnidoscolus quercifolius), also referred to as 'faveleira' and 'faveleiro.'

the favela plant had both a medicinal and practical function, as the leaves could be used for herbal teas and its light wood branches could be used as building material - furthermore, the plant caused itching and skin irritation, adding a symbolic dimension to the use of the term 'favela' by the veterans.