Natasha Manley, Contributor

Left: Afroreggae performed with the Rolling Stones on Copacabana beach, in Rio, Brazil. Touring is one of many ways in which the bands support the charity. They apply capitalist principles to socialist ideals and plough earnings back into their social projects.   Right: This band was created by Favella residents who are members of the NGO. They had no money so they fashioned instruments out of plastic garbage drums they found in the street, and they now tour all over Brazil generating income. - Contributed photos

Between 1948 and 1999, an estimated 13,000 people were killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Between 1979 and 2000, more than 48,000 died from firearm-related injuries in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil alone.

On my first visit to a ghetto area in Rio de Janeiro, I noticed two things: The first was a strong and enviable sense of community, and the second was an abundance of children walking openly in the streets brandishing silver pistols, or standing on corners guarding large vats of cocaine in full view.

These children, some under the age of 12, are illegally employed by the drug Dons as guards, look-outs and murderers. Rio is a divided city. There is what is known as 'The Asfalto', literally translated this means 'The Asphalt', which refers to the paved roads of 'legitimate' society run by the Government. And, then there are the Favelas, the dirt road shanty towns, which exist alongside, but often completely independently of legitimate society. Lack of government attention and a police presence, which is largely corrupt and extremely violent, has created a power vacuum, which is currently being filled by warring drug factions.

Sub society

It is, however, a mistake to think of these areas as lawless. Each Favella functions as a kind of 'sub-society', with its own laws, distinct hierarchy, and justice system enforced by 'Traficantes' (drug traffickers), who have become their version of a government. The culture of the drug trade causes violence and territorial disputes, but it can also often provide residents with protection, employment, and a sense of governmental order, in a city in which there are limited alternatives, and even fewer role models. Young boys in particular are drawn to crime partly because it offers them a sense of identity, belonging, and even glamour, which legitimate society has ceased to provide.

The grey area between crime and governance is an issue Rio shares with the garrison communities of Kingston and St. Andrew, which is encapsulated in the following quote from a Matthews Lane resident upon hearing that notorious area don, Zeekes, was to be put in prison:

"Yah so a di safest place inna town (downtown) sake a him. Since him gone all a di business people a ball seh a bear tiefing a gwaan ... Without him, here is a sinking hole." (THE STAR)

Afroreggae

'Afroreggae' is a unique non-governmental organisation in Rio, which has taken these grey areas into account with a fascinating approach to combating drug and gun-related crimes. It was founded by a group of underprivileged citizens who grew tired of waiting for a seemingly impotent government to do something about their situation. They took matters into their own hands after a particularly brutal police-led massacre on their Favela community, which is called 'Vigario Geral'. Their ethos is 'transformation through culture'.

The organisation attempts to reform drug soldiers, and also attract young vulnerable Favela residents away from the temptations of the drug trade. They offer an alternative to a life of violent crime by running community-based arts projects, workshops, and offering practical advice on jobs and how to set up small businesses. They have created several bands, which perform live to generate income, one of which has two internationally released albums. Afroreggae has also held music workshops with the Brazilian military police, who are traditionally one of the most corrupt and violent government sanctioned organisations in the world.

The name Afroreggae suggests a re-embracing of their African heritage, in a country struggling with post colonial racial issues based on 'degrees of colour' - lighter being perceived as better. But the name also hints at the extent to which the organisation looks to Jamaica as a source of cultural inspiration, specifically through music.

Enormous influence

'Tekko', (a Brazilian Rastafarian), and 'Anderson Sa' are two key members of the organisation who told me that Jamaican music has had an enormous influence on the philosophy and approach of the group. It's fascinating to find that the 'conscious' lyrics of Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, Third World and Bunny Wailer have had a literal impact on underprivileged Brazilians, miles away from our island.

Part of Afroreggae's approach is to explore what makes a life of crime so seductive to young men. 'Junior' is the charismatic and erudite leader of the organisation. He says, "We use strategies that are very similar to drug traffickers. So, often if you see an Afroreggae instructor you won't know the difference between them and the criminal."

By mimicking some of the appealing elements of the 'Traficante' culture, Afroreggae avoids alienating young Favela residents who often associate wealth, glamour and a sense of belonging with the drug trade.

Afroreggae has hosted groundbreaking workshops with the Brazilian military police in an attempt to heal rifts and promote understanding by building bridges through music and the arts. This kind of work with the police is unprecedented.