Milena Кarađorđević

What people wore

Weapons as essential clothing for men

For men, carrying a belt with weapons was considered essential, to the point that a man without them was viewed as being naked. The flat, cylindrical hat was an obligatory element of the traditional male attire.

Getting around

Cetinje to Podgoritza by carriage

Traveling by carriage from Cetinje to Podgoritza took between six and seven hours, depending on road conditions and the weather.

At the table

Bread was the essential, sacred staple food

Bread was the most important food, often made from rye, barley, wheat, or corn, and it was so highly valued that people sometimes took oaths on it. Households also prepared simple meals based on flour and dairy products, such as cheese and cream.

Music

Traditional oro dancing

The oro dance, performed by men and women together, was a centerpiece of festivities and was sometimes danced until dawn. Dancers would circle while singing, often illuminated at night by burning kindling wood.

Daily life

The sacred hearth and storytelling

Evenings were centered around the hearth, which was considered sacred and never allowed to go out, as elders shared history and heroic tales.

What it cost

Defining wealth in Montenegro

Wealthy individuals were defined as those with an annual income of 400 gulden, illustrating the poverty of the region.