December 2011. Candomblé rituals on a beach in Rio de Janeiro - part of an hours-long gathering. Candomblé has it's roots in African religious culture.
Editorial & Documentary Photographer Richard Beaven is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this social documentary photography. These images are from his project ‘Faith In Rio‘. To see Richard’s portraits and projects click on any image.
December 2011. A home in Favela Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. Favela Dona Marta, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. Ipanema Beach looking towards Favela Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro.
There’s no need to look for faith in Rio de Janeiro. It announces itself and rises up to meet you on every street and beach, up and down the hilly favelas, inside the bars and, of course, the multitude of churches. The Carioca, Rio natives, are a passionate people for sure.
March 2011. A young lady smokes on the balcony of a Rio de Janeiro bar.
March 2011. Nightclub, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. Ladies at prayer inside Nossa Senhora da Penha Church, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. A man prays outside Nossa Senhora Da Penha Church in Rio de Janeiro. The Vila Cruzeiro community is in the background. This man had crawled up the more than 300 steps to the church on his hands and knees – an act of giving thanks for granted prayers.
Deities are worshiped seemingly in a hundred different ways, many having originated in the dark days of slavery and religious oppression. They continue on today with their rituals, costumes and trances. As part of my work there I spent an unforgettable six hours on a Rio beach in the midst of some Candomblé faithful experiencing the force of their beliefs.
December 2011. Candomblé rituals on a beach in Rio de Janeiro – part of an hours-long gathering. Candomblé has it’s roots in African religious culture.
December 2011. Candomblé rituals on a beach in Rio de Janeiro – part of an hours-long gathering. Candomblé has it’s roots in African religious culture.
The rolling surf that crashes onto the crowded beaches, the sun & moon and the quest for the body beautiful are also worshiped as life-giving forces. In a city of such diversity, intensity and immediate contrasts, no more so than that between wealth and poverty, faith crosses all boundaries. You literally feel it’s enveloping force everywhere you go.
March 2011. A vendor on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. Full moon over Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. Over Rio de Janeiro and Cristo Redentor ( Christ The Redeemer) statue.
December 2011. Body builders, Arpoador between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Rio de Janeiro.
March 2011. A group of boys after body-surfing at Copacabana beach.
December 2011. A group of surfers gather at Arpoador between Ipanema and Copacabana beaches in Rio de Janeiro.
