Prince Joseph Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Prince Joseph Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, known in Brazil as Dom José Fernando, was a prince of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry. Born in Leopoldina Palace, Rio de Janeiro, he was the third son of Prince Ludwig August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and his wife Princess Leopoldina of Brazil. He died of pneumonia at the age of 19 in Wiener Neustadt and is buried at St. Augustin, Coburg.

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.

New Year's Day tradition of new clothes

On New Year's Day, it was customary for everyone, even the poor, to make sacrifices to wear new clothes, such as a suit of brim, a dress of chita, or a simple skirt of riscado. People mended and washed their old rags, wearing them with joy as if they were received from God, embroidered with the gold of the sun and silver of the moon.

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.

Popular ensembles for domestic dancing

Popular social gatherings often featured small ensembles of flute, guitar, and cavaquinho to play dances like polkas, waltzes, and mazurkas. While pianos were status symbols in wealthy homes, these smaller groups provided accessible music for the middle-class family home and social life.

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.

Fast travel on the new highway

The União e Indústria highway, completed in 1861, allowed carriages to travel the 144-kilometer route between Petrópolis and Juiz de Fora in 12 hours, achieving speeds of 20 km/h.

Lighting in homes

Kerosene lamps were used for lighting, as there was no electricity in homes during this period.

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.

Minimum monthly cost of food for families

In the early 1870s, the minimum monthly cost for food was estimated at 12,000 réis per person for enslaved individuals and workers, while a childless couple spent at least 24,000 réis on food.

Aluá for the Heat

Aluá, a popular fermented drink made from rice water, was sold by vendors to help people cope with the intense heat of Rio de Janeiro.