Infante Miguel of Portugal

Music

Informal music making in homes

In the early 19th century, people frequently gathered in homes for informal musical sessions, where they sang sentimental modinhas accompanied by the viola. These intimate gatherings were central to daily life and often featured improvised concerts at night.

At the table

Pork as the primary protein source

Pork was the most consumed protein across all social classes, and butchers in Rio de Janeiro were supplied twice daily, early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Daily life

Eating Without Cutlery

Meals were often eaten without cutlery, using hands to shape manioc flour into balls, known as pirão, which were dipped into broth and meat.

What people wore

Everyday clothing for children and workers

Children often went completely naked in their early years, while enslaved women working in fields or as laborers frequently wore only a simple shirt. In some urban settings, young girls began wearing skirts around age 6 to 11, with differences in style reflecting social status.

Getting around

Decorated lead mules guided the way

Lead mules were decorated with ornaments like peacock feathers, shells, and ribbons, and wore a bell to help guide the rest of the herd.

What it cost

Worker daily earnings in Rio Grande

In Rio Grande during the early 19th century, a worker could earn 40 réis in just an hour, enough to provide food for a day.