Peter I of Serbia

Getting around

Travel by ox cart on bumpy roads

Travel between towns was often done by ox cart, as horses were historically restricted for Serbs under Ottoman rule. A trip between two local taverns on the road could take at least an hour due to the bumpy conditions.

At the table

Daily habits of coffee and brandy

Coffee was an essential, obligatory daily beverage, typically prepared the Turkish way in a copper pot (džezva) and often served alongside brandy or fruit preserves (slatko). While wine was consumed by the well-to-do, fruit brandy (rakija) was the more common, cheaper, and widely available drink for ordinary people.

What people wore

Weapons as Daily Dress Accessories

In the time of Prince Miloš, it was common for men to carry weapons, such as pistols and knives, tucked into their waist sashes as a standard part of their daily attire. A proposal to restrict carrying weapons to long journeys was fiercely rejected by the assembly in 1837, as the people viewed it as a form of forced disarmament.

Music

Folk song traditions and gender roles

In the 19th century, Serbian folk music was categorized by Vuk Stefanović Karadžić into men's and women's songs, with women's songs being more numerous and women serving as the primary transmitters of tradition.

Daily life

Limited schooling for rural children

Formal schooling was rare for rural children, as they were needed for farm work and household chores. Education for girls was particularly discouraged because it was believed that a girl's place was at home learning domestic skills to prepare for marriage.