Elena of Montenegro

Elena of Montenegro was Queen of Italy from 29 July 1900 until 9 May 1946 as the wife of King Victor Emmanuel III. As Victor Emmanuel's wife, she briefly claimed the titles Empress of Ethiopia and Queen of the Albanians; both titles were dropped when her husband formally renounced them in 1943. Elena was the daughter of King Nicholas I and Queen Milena of Montenegro.

The iconic red Montenegrin cap

Men wore a distinct red cap called a kapa, which featured gold embroidery; during this period, it was common to decorate the top with the initials of the local tribe or the ruler.

Weapons as essential male clothing

Montenegrin men considered themselves naked without their weapons, routinely carrying guns, a yatagan knife, and a long rifle even while engaged in peaceful tasks.

Gusle: The Monochord of Montenegrin Epic Poetry

The gusle, a single-stringed instrument played with a horsehair bow, was the most important traditional instrument for accompanying epic poetry and historical songs. Musicians often improvised lyrics at home or during festivities, with the instrument being passed from person to person.

The Traditional Oro Dance Accompanied by Song

People danced the oro, a group dance often performed at home or in meadows, accompanied only by singing or the rhythm of footwork rather than instrumental music. Dancers were frequently motivated by improvised songs that changed according to the circumstances and the energy of the participants.

Transporting baggage by foot

Travelers often hired a horse for riding while women or other dependents carried the heavy baggage on foot, frequently using straps across their chests. Women who performed this strenuous transport work were often seen knitting or spinning as they walked behind pack-animals.

Antivari to Virpazar by carriage

A journey by carriage between Antivari and Virpazar took five to six hours, depending on the horses' strength and road conditions.

Living without clocks or modern furniture

Standard furniture was sparse, featuring wooden stools, a simple table, and a raised wooden bench for sleeping covered with blankets or the traditional struccha plaid. Lacking clocks or watches, families determined time by watching the sun, using hour-glasses, or occasional sundials.

Oral education and the gusle tradition

Formal schooling was rare and often held in contempt, as traditional education relied on oral history shared by elders around the hearth. Lessons were learned through heroic ballads and playing the gusle, which were considered essential for maintaining honor and family values.

Bread as a sacred staple food

Bread was the primary foodstuff and was so cherished that it was used in solemn oaths. It was commonly baked from rye, barley, wheat, buckwheat, or corn.

Drinks from trees and skins

In arid regions, people drank tree sap like birch and beech juice, obtained by scraping the inner bark of young trees to quench their thirst. Rakija was produced in small, primitive stills and stored in sheep or goat skin bags.

Definition of wealth in Montenegro

A person was considered wealthy in Montenegro if their annual income reached 400 gulden.

Dietary habits of the population

Meat was considered a luxury, consumed only by the wealthy, while the rest of the population had a very poor diet.

Cooperative Work: The Moba Custom

Communities utilized the moba, a custom where neighbors gathered to complete urgent tasks like plowing or harvesting, for which the host provided a celebratory feast including meat and drinks rather than monetary payment. Younger participants often used these gatherings as social events, dressing in their best clothes to dance and sing late into the night.

Division of Labor: Women and Men

Women performed the majority of manual labor, including field work, building construction, and transporting heavy goods like firewood and water on their backs. Men frequently focused on animal husbandry and military-related roles, often viewing physical manual labor as beneath them.