Princess Zorka of Montenegro

Zorka Karađorđević, née Petrović-Njegoš (Петровић-Његош), was a Montenegrin princess, the eldest child of Prince Nicholas I of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty. In 1883, Ljubica married Serbian prince and throne claimant Petar Karađorđević. She died in childbirth while giving birth to her fifth child, Andrija, on 16 March 1890. Prince Andrija died shortly thereafter. Zorka's husband later became king of Serbia as Peter I.

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.

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.

Podgoritza to Kolashin trek

Traveling between Podgoritza and Kolashin was a journey of sixteen hours, though it was recommended to split this into two easier days. Travelers often hired a local youth and a pony for the trip, navigating trackless mountain wilderness.

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.