The only time when Kolberg came to the city was in 1858. He was mostly interested in the local musical folklore. Later he related: “Some of the peasant singing (like those nearby Augustów, Suwałki and Brańsk) reveal this ancient crudeness and the Mazovian simplicity”. 

He included also some information about the provincial cuisine:

“This area is known for ‘oładek’, a potato cake fried on butter or fat. It is made from grated potatoes, squeezed in order to get rid of the excess liquid, and mixed with eggs and flour. One cannot say it is not tasty, yet the dish is a laughing stock, same as the Lithuanian barley soup. The neighbours are usually the ones who make fun of the dish”.

In the part related to this city Kolberg quoted various names for vodka and expressions for drinking used in this area. According to his material “the locals smoke and snuff tobacco. Moreover, those who live near the border with Lithuania, same as the Lithuanians, have their pipes in their mouths almost all the time. Even when they plough, sow or harrow one can notice a small stem sticking out of the farmer’s mouth who is slowly puffing his pipe”.

There are numerous descriptions of beliefs and treatments of illnesses. For instance: “A cricket in a house brings happiness and money to the occupants”.

On the other hand, “a fever, which is called ‘ciotka’ here, can be treated with the following spell:

S A T O R

A R E P O

T E N E T

O P E R A

R O T A S”.