| This article provides information about Malta and its | | | | including live demonstrations! |
| strongest traditions; pottery, glass-blowing, filigree and | | | | Traditional Entertainment around Malta |
| lace-making, folk music, Maltese food and the traditional | | | | Folk music is very strong in many Mediterranean |
| market. | | | | countries and Malta is no exception. The |
| Malta is an island of traditions, each of which stem | | | | ‘Ghanja’, meaning 'song', is the traditional music |
| from its exquisite history. Here, ‘tradition’ is taken | | | | of Malta and sounds like something between a Sicilian |
| to include several aspects such as crafts, food and | | | | ballad and rhythmic Arabian wailing. The first known |
| music – which are still present in the Maltese islands. | | | | form dates back to 1792 during the final years of the |
| Recently, new efforts have been injected into the | | | | rule of the Knights of St John. It was initiated by |
| revival and protection of certain dying Maltese | | | | peasants but the music has now become an all round |
| traditions such as lace-making; not only because they | | | | form of popular entertainment in Malta. Romance is a |
| provide great souvenirs for tourists who visit Malta, but | | | | popular theme in these ballads, but perhaps one of the |
| because of their cultural and artistic values. | | | | most popular forms of ‘ghanja’ is the style |
| Handmade Crafts in Malta | | | | called 'Spirtu pront' (‘On the spur of the |
| The most ancient craft tradition in Malta, rooted firmly | | | | moment’), where two or more ‘ghannejja’ |
| in the prehistoric age, is that of pottery-making. As can | | | | (singers) perform a duet, often a rhyming war of word, |
| be seen from some of the splendid Tarxien Temple | | | | in typical Mediterranean style. |
| figurines (visit the Tarxien Temple, Saflieni Hypogeum | | | | Maltese Cuisine |
| and the National Museum of Archaeology), pottery | | | | Like the folk music, Maltese food is highly influenced by |
| was always an important form of self-expression. | | | | our Sicilian and North African neighbours. Maltese |
| Today, pottery crafts are still evident, with one of the | | | | platters, that accompany any glass of wine in the |
| most popular being that of the ‘pasturi’, the | | | | popular wine-bars would include olives, capers, sheep |
| figurines that fill-up the Christmas Crib. The first | | | | cheeselets (‘gbejniet’), sun-dried tomatoes, |
| imported Italian 'pasturi' were very expensive and most | | | | Maltese sausage, broad bean pate known as |
| people couldn't afford them. As a result, locals started | | | | ‘bigilla’ and traditional Maltese crackers known |
| making their own 'pasturi' from rough clay and plaster. | | | | as ‘galletti’. In every town one finds the typical |
| This became so popular that nowadays every | | | | ‘pastizzeriji’ which serve traditional |
| Christmas exhibitions of hand-made cribs and | | | | ‘pastizzi’ (savoury ricotta filled filo-pastries) as |
| ‘pasturi’ are displayed for the public. | | | | well as other pastry foods, purchased off the street in |
| Although relatively modern, glass-blowing in Malta is an | | | | a matter of minutes. ‘Hobz biz-zejt’ is another |
| ancient technique that found its way to the Maltese | | | | popular snack made from slices of crusty Maltese |
| islands during the Phoenician period around 3000 years | | | | bread, spread with red tomatoes and topped with a |
| ago. It is entirely mouth blown and hand-made, as it | | | | little onion, gbejniet and anchovies or tuna, soaked in |
| was in the old days, and much of the glassware today | | | | delicious olive oil. |
| is a type of original Maltese glass with strong | | | | When visiting the island of Malta look out for some |
| Mediterranean colours. The complicated process | | | | other typical Maltese food such as ‘Minestra’, a |
| begins with multi-coloured beads, which are blown into | | | | very thick vegetable soup served with Maltese bread |
| any shape. Clear glass is then placed around the | | | | and oil; assortments of Fresh Fish, together with |
| coloured glass and a shape is given to form particular | | | | ‘Aljotta’, a delicious fish soup; Rabbit Stew; |
| designs. | | | | ‘Imqarrun’ (baked macaroni) or ‘Timpana’ |
| Another craft, which flourished particularly under the | | | | (baked macaroni in a case of pastry); ‘Soppa |
| Knights, is gold and silverware. Malta’s most | | | | Ta’ L-Armla’ (Widow’s Soup) which is a |
| precious production is filigree and jewellery. This is still a | | | | mixture of vegetables, left over cuts and cheeses; and |
| thriving tradition, the work of which is often exported to | | | | finally, Snails, known as ‘Bebbux’ cooked in a |
| major cities abroad. Cities like our capital, Valletta, are | | | | hot stew. Traditional sweets include deep-fried |
| bursting with local jewellers, all of which provide a | | | | ‘Imqaret’ (date pastries) and ‘Qubbajt’ |
| range of traditional, as well as modern Maltese | | | | (nougat); Easter ‘Figolli’, almond stuffed pastry |
| creations. | | | | figures in shapes such as rabbits, cars and hearts |
| From the time of the Knights, life in Gozo as well as | | | | decorated with icing sugar; ‘Kannoli’, ricotta |
| the rural areas of Malta was relatively harsh. So craft | | | | filled fried pastry rolls similar to those of Sicily; and |
| industries became a main source of income for rural | | | | Christmas ‘Qaghaq tal-Ghasel’ (honey rings). |
| families, namely embroidery, weaving and lace-making. | | | | Maltese Sunday Markets |
| The traditional lace is known as ‘bizzilla’ and this | | | | In certain Maltese villages, the silence of the very early |
| craft was introduced to Malta by the Knights of St. | | | | hours of the morning is broken by the bustling of |
| John. It was called bobbin lace and was very popular | | | | buyers and cries of sellers in the traditional Maltese |
| for ruffs and collars in the 16th and 17th centuries. | | | | markets. They provide not only a place for buying daily |
| Maltese bobbin lace is made with a number of threads | | | | necessities but for catching up with the news of the |
| which are wound upon an elongated wooden bobbin | | | | village. For everything from clothes to household items, |
| or spool. A special long cushion called ‘trajbu’ is | | | | the Sunday market outside Valletta is a key. But for a |
| used as a base for the lace creation. All | | | | real taste of Malta’s traditional market, a visit to the |
| aforementioned craft products are easily obtainable in | | | | Marsaxlokk fish market in the old fishing village is |
| most souvenir shops around the island, but a visit to | | | | imperative, where vegetables and fresh fish, as well as |
| the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village will ensure an excellent | | | | traditional souvenirs and crafts of Malta are on sale |
| understanding of all the Maltese craft traditions, | | | | every Sunday. |