Princess Clementine Maria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

What people wore

Women's outdoor modesty garments

When leaving the house, women concealed their colorful indoor outfits under a dark, modestly cut robe known as a ferace or hibra. They also covered their faces in public with a long, transparent white muslin veil called a burqa or yashmak.

Getting around

Long-distance rail travel to Upper Egypt

A 547-mile rail journey from Cairo to Aswan took approximately 26 hours, while the 417-mile trip to Luxor lasted about 15 hours.

At the table

Shared family meals on the floor

For supper, ordinary families often sat on the floor in a circle to share a tray of food, consisting of vegetables like tomatoes and greens, stewed mutton, goat's milk cheese, and flat bread.

Music

Hired entertainers for celebrations

Professional musicians and dancers were commonly hired for festivities including weddings, religious feasts, and private parties. While skilled, they often faced social stigma and were not always considered a respectable occupation.

Daily life

Daily water access and meal preparation

Houses had no piped water, so women fetched it daily from the Nile or wells in skins or jars. Cooking was performed on charcoal stoves in small, often smoky kitchens, where meals were shared from a common tray placed on the floor.

Work

Long hours in early industry

A 13-hour workday was standard for many workers, and in rural cotton gins, the day could stretch to 17 hours.