For centuries, the trade masters of the Ribnica plain have maintained the tradition of creating
wooden goods for everyday use in kitchens and homes. These goods became known as suha roba, a very popular trade commodity as early as the 14th century. In the 15th century, inhabitants of the Ribnica and Kočevje valleys obtained the right to sell their goods in the entire country of Austria-Hungary. It was at that time that the »krošnjarji« became famous – travelling salesmen who packed their goods in a basket and sold them throughout Slovenia, the Alpine countries and Dalmatia. They even traded with Africa and India! Their hearty sense of humour, good will and talkativeness made the Ribnica krošnjarji the keepers of jokes, ideas and stories through the centuries. Today, the tradition of suha roba and the krošnjarji is only kept alive by a few. However, the customs and traditions connected to the trade are revived every year at the traditional fair in Ribnica.
