Prince August Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Kohary

Prince August Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Braganza, known in Brazil as Dom Augusto Leopoldo, was a prince of the Empire of Brazil and of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry. He was the second of four sons born to German Prince Ludwig August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Princess Leopoldina of Brazil.

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.

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.

Angu: A Staple Food for the Poor

Angu, a staple made by boiling and mashing manioc or maize, was a common, energy-dense meal for poor residents and enslaved people, often eaten without cutlery.