Life in Rio's favelas

The flat rooftops of the houses known as "lajes" offer an important living space for the residents. It is where many people relax in the sun, have barbeques, put up paddling pools and where countless children fly their kites
Photograph: AF Rodrigues/Imagens do Povo

Residents at the end of a march through the streets join hands in prayer
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

A local protest through an area known as The Gaza Strip - you can see why from the bullet holes in the metal post
Photograph: Naldinho Lourenço/Imagens do Povo

Peace demonstration accompanied by police
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

The army occupied the favelas during the elections of 2008 to prevent any interference from drug factions and police militia in the electoral process
Photograph: Davi Marcos/Imagens do Povo

Residents call for justice for the death of a 17-year-old boy killed by police
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

A man confronts a large, heavily armoured police car, known as the Caveirão or Big Skeleton. Its ominous presence, gun turret and sniper holes create fear whenever it enters the community
Photograph: Naldinho Lourenço/Imagens do Povo

Young people playing table tennis on an improvised table with a wooden net
Photograph: Elisângela Leite/Imagens do Povo

Young people playing basketball
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

A football pitch, known as Campo da Paty
Photograph: AF Rodrigues/Imagens do Povo

Women excercising on a running and cycle path. The "ciclovia" is part of Vila Olímpica, which also offers a number of activities including swimming, tennis and ballet
Photograph: AF Rodrigues/Imagens do Povo

Children play in a water channel containing much of the community's sewage
Photograph: Elisangela Leite /Imagens do Po

After a heavy rainfall, children enjoy waterslides on a flooded football pitch
Photograph: Benjamin Holman

Traditional music and dance are used to celebrate the Festas Juninas (June Festivals) which fall on the southern winter solstice
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

Fancy dress in the streets during carnival
Photograph: Naldinho Lourenço/Imagens do Povo

During Carnival, children often take to the streets to play, dressed in oversized and colourful costumes known as "bate bola"
Photograph: AF Rodrigues/Imagens do Povo

A show by the popular rock band Detonautas Roque Clube at the Lona Cultural. The Detonautas had to overcome tragedy in 2006 when their guitarist was killed by criminals
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo

Three boys pose in front of some graffiti
Photograph: Benjamin Holman

This spot, which was previously a rubbish dump, has been furnished with a mural, pot plants and a message saying "Don't throw rubbish" as part of an initiative to improve the local environment
Photograph: Benjamin Holman

The huge street market of Teixeira Ribeiro that takes place every Saturday and attracts thousands from both within and outside the favela
Photograph: Naldinho Lourenço/Imagens do Povo

The artist Clemenildo at home producing colourful paintings of life in the community. He sells these celebrations of favela life to the tourists in Copacabana
Photograph: Davi Marcos/Imagens do Povo

Seu João is a salesman who moves through the favelas making soap bubbles for children to play with
Photograph: Elisângela Leite/Imagens do Povo

A protest against the war between two rival drug factions
Photograph: Elisangela Leite/Imagens do Povo

A practioner of the Afro Brazilian religion Candonblé, which was developed in Brazil with the knowledge of enslaved African priests. In the last 20 years, however, it has been almost centirely pushed out by Christianity
Photograph: Rosângela Silva/Musem of Maré

A young girl is helped to the altar at a Corpus Christi mass in the Catholic Church of Sagrada Família
Photograph: Ingrid Cristina/Imagens do Povo

A theatrical presentation in the Evangelical Church Assembléia de Deus about the evils of violence
Photograph: Naldinho Lourenço/Imagens do Povo

A group of women from the Evangelical church Assembléia de Deus take to the streets to plead for peace in the community
Photograph: Francisco Valdean/Imagens do Povo