When rural estates were established in the 16th century, they began agricultural production for the market, while the peasant farmsteads provided mainly for their own needs and for dues paid in kind to the noblemen. Farming was the mainstay of the economy in the territory of Latvia. In the late 18th century and early 19th century land belonged to noblemen, the peasants tilling and maintaining the land. They subsisted from the land they were allotted, and performed labour duties in the fields of the manor, using their own tools and equipment. The development of farming implements and the introduction of new farming practices was a slow process. On the peasant farmsteads, conditions began to change more rapidly in the 19th century, after the abolition of serfdom in the various regions of Latvia in the years 1817–1861.
Since clearance farming was practiced, the most common form of plough was the forked wooden plough. The soil was loosened with a harrow.
Grain was sown from a special sowing-basket. Used for reaping cereals in different areas was the long-handled scythe, the short-handled scythe or the sickle. Clubs or flails were used for threshing.
Bread and products from cereals were of great importance in the diet. Six to ten loaves of rye bread were baked once a week.
Important sources of income were beekeeping and flax-growing. Fishing was also a major occupation.
Pottery was a highly developed craft. Each region had its favourite vessel forms, decorative techniques and glazes. Pottery has been maintained as a folk art up to the present day in eastern Latvia.
The peasants themselves made many of the tools and everyday utensils they needed. Objects whose manufacture required special tools and skills were ordered from craftsmen: blacksmiths, carpenters, etc. Objects and tools used in everyday life were sometimes adorned with carved-made ornament.
The interior of the peasant’s family room depicts a peasant’s room in the 19th century. The largest room in the house was the family room. Next to the bed was a place for the cradle. Clothes were kept in a chest, and in the second half of the 18th century wardrobes also came into use. The people of the household spent their evenings in the big family room, engaged in various tasks by the light of a splint or candle. In the family room of every peasant farmstead there was a loom, since each woman knew how to weave.
Latvian folk musical instruments were closely connected with social life, customs and festivities. The symbol of Latvian folk music is a string instrument the kokle. Wind instruments are of ancient origin; horns, herder’s horns, pipes, clay whistles are among the most typical traditional wind musical instruments.
The national costumes developed as clothing of countryside people – peasants and fishermen. In the late 18th and early 19th century the regional national costume attained its classic form. The name ‘national costume’ refers to traditional dress worn in various situations and seasons, but mostly preserved is the festive costume. The course of historical development and the continuity of tradition determined the persistence of differences in national costumes between the various regions of Latvia. Groups of characteristic features serve to distinguish the national costumes of Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme, Latgale and Augšzeme. The beginning of regional differences can be traced back to the differences between the Baltic peoples – the Semigallians, the Latgallians, the Selonians and the Couronians, and a Baltic-Finnic people – the Livs.
Traditional female dress consisted of a linen shirt, a woollen skirt, a belt, a jacket or bodice and a head covering. Maidens wore headband or crown, while married women had kerchief, headcloth or wife’s cap. The woollen shawl was a characteristic item of dress. Men wore a linen shirt, woollen trousers, a vest, a long, medium or short coat, a belt and a hat. Male attire was affected by change earlier than female dress. Thus, already in the 18th century, the trousers and coats imitate urban fashion. Likewise, male dress was influenced by military uniform.
The cycle of family celebrations encompassed the major events of the human lifetime: christening, wedding and funeral. The greatest wealth of traditions is associated with marriage. The bride’s dowry had to include not only dress, but also various gifts, such as mittens.
Brooches were used to fasten the costume. The small brooches were used to fasten shirts, the larger ones for fastening woollen shawls. Annular brooches came to dominate since 17th century. Heart-shaped brooches occur from the 16th century onwards. Ornaments were made of bronze, silver, amber, sometimes decorated with coloured glass. Rings were worn with festive dress by both men and women. Glass, silver and amber beads were also worn as women’s jewellery. The quality and richness of ornaments on the dress served to show the wearer’s wealth.