Peddling

Pedding

Centuries ago, an important traffic connection went through the Bovec Region, which allowed the inhabitants to communicate with the outside world and enabled them to earn money. Some of the wealthier residents of the Soča Region villages were involved in the transport of large quantities of goods; the poorer, called the peddlers, traded in various small items. They went from house to house selling fabrics and sewing accessories, mirrors, combs, jewellery, smoking pipes, medicines, perfumes and even shoes. They carried all this on their backs, in wooden baskets with several drawers for safe storage of smaller items.

Each peddler worked a designated area which was sometimes very far from home. These travelling merchants were greatly appreciated and respected among the people. In addition to being able to earn a lot of money, they usually spoke several foreign languages, knew what was happening in the world and told interesting stories from the places they visited.

This basket, which has been the property of the Tolmin Museum since 1954 and is on display at the House of Stergulc in Bovec, was used by Jožef Kenda from Bovec until 1950.