While wealthier sunbathers may opt for Ipanema and Copacabana, there exists another coastline checkered with picnics of roasted chicken and “farofa.” Farofa, a typical Brazilian food made from toasted manioc flour and mixed with bacon, onion, parsley, eggs, bananas or vegetables, was the inspiration for this project by photographer João Castellano. “Middle and upper class Brazilians frequently use a pejorative term to refer to the lower income beachgoers: “farofeiros,’” Castellano explained. He spent four years traveling to farofeiro beaches, exploring the colorful culture of a community that is often looked down upon. Often unable to travel to the famous beaches of their country, farofeiros cool off near favelas, public pools, and the beaches of dams. “The main idea of this project is to take us, viewers, to a place we don’t want to go,” he said, “to show us a reality we don’t want to see, and then make us start questioning our own prejudice.”
The Other Beaches of Brazil
-
![]()
Read moreA boy eats ice cream at Piscinão de Ramos, or Big Pool of Ramos, an artificial beach in the heart of Favela da Maré, in the North of Rio de Janeiro. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreA family relaxes together at the Riacho Grande dam, in the south of São Paulo. The dam's beach is a good option for people who live far away from the sea and can't afford to travel. #
-
![]()
Read moreA mother, daughter, and aunt have a picnic at Piscinão de Ramos. #
-
![]()
Read moreA group of friends refresh themselves at Piscinão de Ramos. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreA boy stands near his napping father at the Guarapiranga dam in the south of São Paulo. #
-
![]()
Read moreA mother plays with her two sons at the Guarapiranga dam, in the south of São Paulo. #
-
![]()
Read moreThree friends enjoy a snack at the Guarapiranga dam in the south of São Paulo. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreChicken roasts in a window in Gaibu, a beach located in a poorer area of Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state. #
-
![]()
Read moreA group of friends enjoy a home-cooked lunch at the Guarapiranga dam, in the south of São Paulo. #
-
![]()
Read moreA woman uses lotion to bleach her body hair in Gaibu, Pernambuco. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreA family carries picnic equipment to the Guarapiranga dam beach. #
-
![]()
Read moreA woman drinks a cocktail after eating a shrimp dish at Piscinão de Ramos. #
-
![]()
Read moreA couple kisses at the Guarapiranga dam. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreA woman sunbathes next to a colorful assortment of inflatables at Gaibu. #
-
![]()
Read moreA young girl and her sister eat a bacon snack at Piscinão de Ramos. #
-
![]()
Read moreA grandmother plays with her grandson at the Guarapiranga dam. #
-
-
![]()
Read moreA woman smokes a cigarette and uses a beer can filled with water to refresh herself at Piscinão de Ramos. #
-
![]()
Read moreA plate of discarded food at Brasília Teimosa beach in Recife, Pernambuco. #
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.