Prince August Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Kohary

What people wore

Abundant meals during Holy Week celebrations

During the Holy Week, although red meat was forbidden by religious precept, the banquet was rich and varied, featuring dishes prepared by black cooks such as oyster soup, vatapá, caruru, moquecas, and various desserts like baba de moça. It was a time of abundant and diverse culinary celebration.

Getting around

Common city transport in Rio

In Rio de Janeiro, public transport included omnibuses drawn by four mules, while private carriages were often pulled by two mules or horses.

At the table

Coffee as a Daily Stimulant

Poor urban residents and enslaved people commonly consumed coffee, often adding milk, which served as both a social habit and a work stimulant.

Music

Persistence of batuque and black festivities

Black festivities such as the batuque were widespread and persisted despite church opposition, featuring rhythmic hand-clapping and the use of the viola. These dances, often lasting for hours, were integral to the social lives of the lower classes, who used them to maintain cultural bonds.

Daily life

Night schooling for workers

Night schools were established to provide basic literacy to working-class children and adults, often framed as a charitable effort by the elites.