Infante Eugénio of Portugal

Music

Common instruments in rural homes

In rural Minho, it was rare to find a house without a viola or a cavaquinho, and sometimes a harmonica, which later became known as a concertina. Spontaneous neighborhood parties often erupted when someone started playing these instruments.

Daily life

Cooking and diet basics

Common people cooked their meals over an open fire, often using three stones or basic hearths without chimneys, while water was generally not piped into their homes. Diet for laborers was simple, consisting primarily of bread, vegetables, bacon, and occasionally sardines or cod.

What it cost

Low wages for Porto factory workers

In Porto, factory workers earned an average of 420 réis per day in the late 19th century, while young female workers often received only about 40 réis, which was not enough to purchase a single kilogram of bread.

What people wore

Personalized Embroidery as Identity Markers

To express personal identity, men often embroidered their names on the chest of their linen shirts, while women displayed their initials on their aprons or vest backs. These personalized details served as markers of individual pride within the rural community.

Getting around

Hiring Mules and Drivers

Travelers often rode mules, which were paid up to 12 testoons per day; the driver (arrieiro) was expected to be paid 240 réis per day in addition to his food.

At the table

Common rural diet and shared meals

Ordinary rural families frequently ate from a large, shared earthenware bowl containing vegetables and potatoes, often seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil, pork fat, or salted sardines. Bread, specifically corn bread (broa), was a staple consumed daily and often kept fresh for a week.