The Life and Culture of the Urban Populace in 19th Century Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Ethnology Department’s permanent exhibition, The Life and Culture of the Urban Populace in 19th Century Bosnia and Herzegovina, provides insight into the domestic culture of well-off city dwellers and their culture in general. Visitors can see scenes from everyday life displayed in six authentic rooms dating from the late 18th and early 19th century.

The first room was transferred from the residence (konak) of Derviš-bey Kršlak of Jajce. The room features a scene of courtship – a tryst between a young couple. 

Another room was transported from the residence of the Saburas, a rich and distinguished Sarajevan family of coppersmiths and merchants: the family sits at a low round table (sinija) on which a meal has been served in a copper-clad dish (demirlija).

The exhibition also reconstructs the kamarija – a specially decorated room at the end of the first-floor hallway, with a balcony attached to the outer wall of the house. This is where girls mostly sat and embroidered their bridal vestments. 

The fourth room comes from the konak of the Hadžirustembegović family from Srebrenica. It features the scene of a trial at the Commercial Court (ticāret mehākimi): the judge (kadı) presides, and beside him sit the members of the Council, whose different attire reflects their different religions and social classes.

The small fifth room, also from the house of the Sabura family, represents the richest social class from Ottoman Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rich landowners used clothing, weapons, and other luxury items to show their social standing.

The last room, lavishly decorated, was transported from Natkovači in Sarajevo, and here it is presented as a room for women (haremluk). The ceiling and the walls are ornamented with plant motifs, and the windows are Florentine stained glass.