at a glance |
Bailes Funk are the big parties hosted in favelas all across the country, which typically play Carioca Funk music- the word 'baile' translates are 'dance'. The history and development of these festivities is rich, socially transformative and charged - They have become attractions for the wider carioca public, as well as tourists, hence improving interaction and dialogue between previously stratified social groups. funk carioca has been a hugely liberating genre for residents of favelas, giving them a medium through which to describe their social landscape and discuss issues relating to drugs, crime and poverty - as such the rhythms evokes strong passion emotions and energy. perhaps more than anything, Baile funk and funk carioca are evidence of the rich cultural potential of favelas, and the widespread popularity of the music attests to an affinity between residents of the hills and those who live in more affluent areas. While baile funk parties in Rio's favelas offer the exotic allure of an authentic, real experience of youth culture in Brazil, the events must be approached with a great deal of caution and preparation to ensure that the experience is safe and without undesirable consequences. first and foremost, visitors should only attend officially organized and legal bailes funk, where all the mandatory safety measures are put in place - going to 'illegal' parties of this kind can be dangerous and we strongly advise against it. attending an official party strongly reduces the risks associated with these types of events, especially since likely the revelers would be used to foreigners being there. an easy and mandatory first step, is checking whether the favela has been pacified by the UPP - the polícia pacificadora keeps an updated list of pacified favelas on the force's official website on this link. if a favela is not listed as pacified by the UPP, visitors are advised not to attend bailes funk organized there - with or without a local guide. in fact, As with any foray into a favela, it is always best to go along with a guide who is familiar with the people of the favela, the accompanying social dynamics and the lay of the land. to the unfamiliar visitor, Favelas may seem like labyrinths of concrete, with seemingly no organization or clear path from point A to B - the possibility of getting lost is real and because of this it is important to enter with a trustworthy companion who is familiar with the safest routes throughout the community. Being with someone who is respected in the neighborhood reduces the chance of a resident taking offense to the 'intrusion' and being unfriendly. As goes for just about any social situation or party, a visitor should never carry any aggressive, over-confident, or negative attitude while attending a baile funk party, always be in good spirits and avoid giving bad looks to anyone in attendance. notably, speaking loudly in a foreign language, especially while looking at people, can quickly be interpreted as offensive behavior and escalate into a confrontation - loud talking should be reserved for moments of direct conversations and not used while walking randomly in the crowds. Rubbing someone the wrong way can quickly degenerate in a situation where the danger of ending up hurt is considerable. As such, never engage in arguments or fights, and refrain from getting involved in a domestic dispute, even if attempting to deescalate a situation between others - guests should Simply stay neutral and relocate if necessary, avoiding any confrontation at all costs. one basic rule of thumbs, is keeping the conversation restricted to the people who are part of the same group going to the baile funk, and only engaging in conversations with local revelers if invited to do so. the social structure at large events is not always immediately apparent - starting a conversation with the wrong person could be misinterpreted as a romantic attempt and easily become an unpleasant situation. taking pictures should only be restricted to own group of friends - taking pictures of the crowds or other people can immediately result in a confrontation. A key to both staying safe at a baile funk and ensuring an easy exit from the favelas after the fun is over is to avoid getting inebriated in any capacity. While consuming illegal substances and drugs is always a bad idea, doing so and engaging with drug dealers in a favela is not only illegal, but it is highly dangerous - there is no way to determine the true composition of any substance, serious side effects can occur, and immediate medical assistance would likely be unavailable. Similarly, excessive consumption of alcohol increases vulnerability to a wide variety of negative outcomes, by affecting good behavior, good judgement, and common sense. bailes funk can become extremely loud - in fact, frequently the loudness of these parties has been a point of contention between local authorities and event organizers. bringing ear-plugs is particularly important - even by revelers who are used to loud concerts. Baile funk parties in favelas are known to become extremely hot and can cause heat exhaustion and dehydration - drinking plenty of water in advance and only drinking bottled water at the event are mandatory rules. Attire-wise, partiers should wear comfortable, breathable clothing without being too revealing and always wear securely fastened closed-toe footwear. visitors shuold avoid bringing valuables or flashy items to a baile funk, such as smartphones, professional photography equipment, jewelry or large sums of cash. Not only are these objects unnecessary to enjoy the lively full-sensory experience of a baile funk, but they can quickly catch the attention of opportunists and make the possessor the target of a robbery. For communication purposes, bringing a simple local cell phone that can make phone calls and send text messages is best the idea. visitors should Always go into a baile funk with a plan for exiting the event and getting home set-up ahead of time - Whether this means locating moto taxi stands upon entry into the favela or, depending on the favela, hiring a taxi or private driver to pick up at a specific location at a specific time - it is important to never coordinate an exit at the last minute. It is especially helpful to have exit plans in case of an immediate emergency exit being necessary - this includes telling someone where the party is, and having a local number to call in case non-emergency help is needed. some useful numbers to bring along are for taxi companies and private drivers who operate in the area. With the introduction of the Police Pacification Units in the favelas around Rio, these once crime-riddled communities have now become safer and more approachable by non-natives - yet, safer does not mean danger-free. While many of the favelas in Rio are now secured by these forces, it is generally advisable to limit attendance to the favelas in the zona sul - inherently less dangerous and easier to navigate than some of the favelas found farther away from the city center. Favelas such as vidigal, rocinha, and cantagalo are generally considered safe for tourists, friendly to non-natives, and are easily accessed from the common neighborhoods of ipanema, leblon and copacabana. keeping all these basic rules in mind, and having some common sense, will insure the best of times and an unforgettable experience for all. published by the acclaimed photographer vincent rosenblatt, this website shows hundreds of great pictures of a variety of bailes funk throughout brazil, including in rio de janeiro. |
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