with an estimated 20,000 residents in recent times, mangueira was originally populated by a relatively small group of soldiers. the settlement changed dramatically when a fire destroyed a large number of homes in the city center and caused the relocation of many people to this area.

over time the demographic and the community identity changed. a large numbers of people with african  backgrounds migrated to the area and the community took on many of their particular. 

alongside the many christians, the african religions candomblé and afro-brazilian religion umbanda also had several adepts in mangueira.