Gustav Schimert

What people wore

Traditional peasant men's clothing

Peasant men typically wore white blouses embroidered in red, white felt breeches, and high boots. For extra warmth, they added a sheepskin cloak worn with the wool inside and the white leather outside, which was often richly embroidered.

Getting around

Warning the public of trains

Early railway operations were so unfamiliar that a rider on horseback was sometimes sent ahead of the train blowing a horn to warn people and animals to stay clear of the tracks.

Music

Traditional Taraf Bands and Instruments

Fiddler bands, known as tarafuri, typically played a mix of violin, panpipes, and the kobza lute, later adding the cimbalum. These musicians were central to local festivities, often performing inside a circle of dancers.

Daily life

Schooling became compulsory for kids

An 1864 act endowed Romania with free and compulsory elementary education, and later described as compelling families to send children to primary school. Education methods could be harsh and parents often avoided schooling when the benefit was unclear.