US $9.99
Things to do in Malta – Unique Maltese Traditions
This article provides information about Malta and its strongest traditions; pottery, glass-blowing, filigree and lace-making, folk music, Maltese food and the traditional market.
Malta is an island of traditions, each of which stem from its exquisite history. Here, ‘tradition’ is taken to include several aspects such as crafts, food and music – which are still present in the Maltese islands. Recently, new efforts have been injected into the revival and protection of certain dying Maltese traditions such as lace-making; not only because they provide great souvenirs for tourists who visit Malta, but because of their cultural and artistic values.
Handmade Crafts in Malta
The most ancient craft tradition in Malta, rooted firmly in the prehistoric age, is that of pottery-making. As can be seen from some of the splendid Tarxien Temple figurines (visit the Tarxien Temple, Saflieni Hypogeum and the National Museum of Archaeology), pottery was always an important form of self-expression. Today, pottery crafts are still evident, with one of the most popular being that of the ‘pasturi’, the figurines that fill-up the Christmas Crib. The first imported Italian 'pasturi' were very expensive and most people couldn't afford them. As a result, locals started making their own 'pasturi' from rough clay and plaster. This became so popular that nowadays every Christmas exhibitions of hand-made cribs and ‘pasturi’ are displayed for the public.
Although relatively modern, glass-blowing in Malta is an ancient technique that found its way to the Maltese islands during the Phoenician period around 3000 years ago. It is entirely mouth blown and hand-made, as it was in the old days, and much of the glassware today is a type of original Maltese glass with strong Mediterranean colours. The complicated process begins with multi-coloured beads, which are blown into any shape. Clear glass is then placed around the coloured glass and a shape is given to form particular designs.
Another craft, which flourished particularly under the Knights, is gold and silverware. Malta’s most precious production is filigree and jewellery. This is still a thriving tradition, the work of which is often exported to major cities abroad. Cities like our capital, Valletta, are bursting with local jewellers, all of which provide a range of traditional, as well as modern Maltese creations.
From the time of the Knights, life in Gozo as well as the rural areas of Malta was relatively harsh. So craft industries became a main source of income for rural families, namely embroidery, weaving and lace-making. The traditional lace is known as ‘bizzilla’ and this craft was introduced to Malta by the Knights of St. John. It was called bobbin lace and was very popular for ruffs and collars in the 16th and 17th centuries. Maltese bobbin lace is made with a number of threads which are wound upon an elongated wooden bobbin or spool. A special long cushion called ‘trajbu’ is used as a base for the lace creation. All aforementioned craft products are easily obtainable in most souvenir shops around the island, but a visit to the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village will ensure an excellent understanding of all the Maltese craft traditions, including live demonstrations!
Traditional Entertainment around Malta
Folk music is very strong in many Mediterranean countries and Malta is no exception. The ‘Ghanja’, meaning 'song', is the traditional music of Malta and sounds like something between a Sicilian ballad and rhythmic Arabian wailing. The first known form dates back to 1792 during the final years of the rule of the Knights of St John. It was initiated by peasants but the music has now become an all round form of popular entertainment in Malta. Romance is a popular theme in these ballads, but perhaps one of the most popular forms of ‘ghanja’ is the style called 'Spirtu pront' (‘On the spur of the moment’), where two or more ‘ghannejja’ (singers) perform a duet, often a rhyming war of word, in typical Mediterranean style.
Maltese Cuisine
Like the folk music, Maltese food is highly influenced by our Sicilian and North African neighbours. Maltese platters, that accompany any glass of wine in the popular wine-bars would include olives, capers, sheep cheeselets (‘gbejniet’), sun-dried tomatoes, Maltese sausage, broad bean pate known as ‘bigilla’ and traditional Maltese crackers known as ‘galletti’. In every town one finds the typical ‘pastizzeriji’ which serve traditional ‘pastizzi’ (savoury ricotta filled filo-pastries) as well as other pastry foods, purchased off the street in a matter of minutes. ‘Hobz biz-zejt’ is another popular snack made from slices of crusty Maltese bread, spread with red tomatoes and topped with a little onion, gbejniet and anchovies or tuna, soaked in delicious olive oil.
When visiting the island of Malta look out for some other typical Maltese food such as ‘Minestra’, a very thick vegetable soup served with Maltese bread and oil; assortments of Fresh Fish, together with ‘Aljotta’, a delicious fish soup; Rabbit Stew; ‘Imqarrun’ (baked macaroni) or ‘Timpana’ (baked macaroni in a case of pastry); ‘Soppa Ta’ L-Armla’ (Widow’s Soup) which is a mixture of vegetables, left over cuts and cheeses; and finally, Snails, known as ‘Bebbux’ cooked in a hot stew. Traditional sweets include deep-fried ‘Imqaret’ (date pastries) and ‘Qubbajt’ (nougat); Easter ‘Figolli’, almond stuffed pastry figures in shapes such as rabbits, cars and hearts decorated with icing sugar; ‘Kannoli’, ricotta filled fried pastry rolls similar to those of Sicily; and Christmas ‘Qaghaq tal-Ghasel’ (honey rings).
Maltese Sunday Markets
In certain Maltese villages, the silence of the very early hours of the morning is broken by the bustling of buyers and cries of sellers in the traditional Maltese markets. They provide not only a place for buying daily necessities but for catching up with the news of the village. For everything from clothes to household items, the Sunday market outside Valletta is a key. But for a real taste of Malta’s traditional market, a visit to the Marsaxlokk fish market in the old fishing village is imperative, where vegetables and fresh fish, as well as traditional souvenirs and crafts of Malta are on sale every Sunday.
platter punch and throw with pottery wheel throwing centering "茶碗 ろくろ 陶芸ろくろ
|
|
RAKU POTTERY-HANDMADE LARGE LONG SWISS CHARD LEAF PLATTER $14.99 |
|
|
Older CRESTWARE Mkd Pottery Lg Green Oval Platter $16.00 |
|
|
Vintage Stangl Pottery 12 ¼” Dish/Platter “Tulip” Hand Painted Trenton N.J. $9.99 |
|
|
RARE ~~Royal Haeger Pottery Flower Platter / Tray #377-H $32.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE HAEGER POTTERY DIVIDE SERVING TRAY PLATTER DISH $49.95 |
|
|
2 Italian Pottery Platter Plaque with Whimiscal Bird $19.99 |
|
|
Henn Pottery Old Glory Gloryware - Petite Platter $12.50 |
|
|
VTG ANTIQUE ESTATE LOT MCCOY ART POTTERY BROWN DRIP PLATTER SERVER OVENPROOF SET $127.99 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Unikat from Boleslawiec $107.99 |
|
|
Vintage Israel 60's Lapid Pottery Set 4 Modular Serving Platters Dishes Modern $55.00 |
|
|
COORS ROCK MOUNT POTTERY LG PLATTER 12 " MAROON $28.95 |
|
|
COORS ROCK MOUNT POTTERY LG PLATTER 15 1/2 " MAROON $32.95 |
|
|
Henn Pottery creamware white round platter plate lot $37.99 |
|
|
Italian Art Pottery Large Oblong Serving Platter - Excellent $49.00 |
|
|
4 Piece Set Italian Pottery - Footed Tureen w/ Lid + Platter + Ladle $90.00 |
|
|
Italy Majolica Pottery White Embossed Grapes & Leaves Rim Platter B8 $52.99 |
|
|
Art Pottery CATTAIL PLATTER CHARGER ITALY OXBLOOD & Organic Terracotta Style $16.99 |
|
|
CONTINENTAL STUDIO/ART POTTERY PLATTER HAND DECORATED FISH $1.56 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Handpainted from Boleslawiec $101.21 |
|
|
S. Chang - Hawaii pottery FISH PLATTER Colorful! $19.95 |
|
|
California Pottery Ivory Rope Gadroon 124 17" Platter $39.99 |
|
|
DERUTA RICCO Italian Pottery Large SERVING PLATTER Antipasto Tray ITALY $69.97 |
|
|
DERUTA RICCO Italian Pottery Large SERVING PLATTER Antipasto Tray ITALY $69.97 |
|
|
DERUTA RAFFAELLESCO Italian Pottery Large SERVING PLATTER Antipasto Tray ITALY $69.97 |
|
|
DERUTA ITALY Italian Pottery RAFFAELLESCO XL SERVING PLATTER TRAY ~ Gorgeous! $149.97 |
|
|
vtg HAND painted POTTERY dish FRANCE floral PLATE signed JACQUES clay PLATTER $25.99 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Handpainted from Boleslawiec $130.95 |
|
|
WIZA Polish Pottery - Oval Serving Platter - Hand-Painted & Signed - NWOT $9.00 |
|
|
Large Majolica Art Pottery Italy Platter Hand Painted Vegetables 15" x 11" $3.99 |
|
|
Henn Pottery GREEN SPONGEWARE Bell Christmas Platter A+ $13.94 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Unikat from Boleslawiec $107.69 |
|
|
VINTAGE FRANKOMA ART DECO POTTERY OBLONG PLATTER - 10'' long x 6'' wide $5.99 |
|
|
Vintage CALIFORNIA POTTERY FISH PLATE TRAY PLATTER WHITE GLAZE NR $46.95 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware fluted oval platter from Boleslawiec $111.74 |
|
|
Rabbit Artworks Pottery Platter Signed Santa Fe Artist Bunnies Strawberries NR $49.99 |
|
|
MCCOY POTTERY LARGE 16 1/2" TURKEY PLATTER $19.99 |
|
|
STANGL POTTERY STAR FLOWER PLATTER 8 SMALL PLATES 6 IN $79.95 |
|
|
16'' DECORATIVE ART POTTERY PLATTER / EARTH TONE COLORS $40.99 |
|
|
Polish Pottery Ceramika Boleslawiec 0727/280 Mercedes Divided Platter 10 3/4" $59.99 |
|
|
Imported Country French Pottery - Terre e Provence - Round Serving Platter 12" $55.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE POOLE POTTERY SERVING PLATTER $10.99 |
|
|
Large SCOTLAND HIGHLAND POTTERY FISH TRENCHER Salmon Server Stoneware Platter $89.95 |
|
|
Deruta pottery GEOMETRICO VARIO LARGE PLATTER 12" $119.00 |
|
|
California Pottery White w/ Pink Roses Dish Platter Caliente-Haldeman Pottery $12.50 |
|
|
* Retired* COMANCHE (Slag Clay) art POTTERY TX -Deep Dish Platter $21.00 |
|
|
Alentejo Large 15" Serving Platter-Handpainted Pottery $75.00 |
|
|
DERUTA POTTERY 16" GEOMETRIC LEMON PLATTER FREE SHIPPIN $279.00 |
|
|
13" Decorative or Serving Plate Platter Italy Art Pottery Green Fish Snail Dots $29.99 |
|
|
Heath Pottery CHOCOLATE BROWN/WHITE Large Round Platter/Chop Plate SAUSALITO CA $49.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE SIGNED 1995 GLAZED ART POTTERY SERVING DISH/PLATTER BLUE SNOWMAN $35.00 |
|
|
ABSTRACT MID CENTURY DECO STUDIO POTTERY PLATTER*CROWS* $65.00 |
|
|
Frankoma Pottery Prairie Green Plainsman Oblong Vegetable Dish Tray Platter 5QD $19.99 |
|
|
Vintage Bennington Pottery Pink Spatterware Platter $99.99 |
|
|
Henn Pottery 13" OVAL CREAMWARE SERVING PLATTER CREAM $16.63 |
|
|
Vintage Pair of Pottery Guild of America Hand Painted Plates Platters Trays $9.99 |
|
|
Flow Blue Semi Porcelain Platter - Soho Pottery - Cobridge - c 1906 $75.42 |
|
|
6 Vintage Brown Drip McCoy Pottery Corn Cob Hull Husk Plate Platter Dish Set $74.99 |
|
|
Italian Floral Pottery Platter $33.99 |
|
|
SCHWARTZWALTER Signed Studio Art Pottery Plate Platter Stoneware Sunburst Sun $6.95 |
|
|
GORGEOUS Cobalt Blue HAND BLOWN Art Pottery Display Serving Platter Mint $38.00 |
|
|
ITALIAN ART POTTERY FISH SHAPED PLATTER OR WALL HANGING VERY DETAILED DESIGN $39.00 |
|
|
Stangl American Redware Pottery Amoeba Kidney Platter Orchard Song Apple Cherry $32.99 |
|
|
BENNINGTON POTTERY "NEW" LG.12" ROUND BLUE AGATE PLATTER #1670dg $24.99 |
|
|
BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN POTTERY DISH PLATTER 13 INCH IRIS MOTIF BEIGE AND WHITE FLOWER $9.95 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware oval platter Unikat from Boleslawiec $55.07 |
|
|
Vintage Primula Pottery Platter "Daisy" Pattern $9.99 |
|
|
Signed Hamada Style Studio Art Pottery Charger Platter $145.00 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Unikat from Boleslawiec $63.98 |
|
|
Art Studio Pottery Cranberry & White Boat Platter Bowl $13.19 |
|
|
CALIFORNIA POTTERY 2013 DIVIDED VEGGIE / CHIP & DIP PLATTER / SERVING TRAY $20.00 |
|
|
1 M.A. Mary Alice Hadley American Pottery 14" Platter Horse Hand Painted $64.99 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Unikat from Boleslawiec $55.88 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Handpainted from Boleslawiec $41.30 |
|
|
Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware platter Handpainted from Boleslawiec $41.27 |
|
|
Frankoma pottery Westwind Autumn Yellow oval platter *MINT* $7.50 |
|
|
VINTAGE BUFFALO POTTERY 1909 ORIENTAL SERVING PLATTER $5.99 |
|
|
Washington Pottery Pink Willow Lugged Serving Platter $23.56 |
|
|
Empire Crockery Newport Pottery bird serving dish platter $12.56 |
|
|
Country French Pottery - Terre e Provence Square Serving Platter $65.00 |
|
|
Large Blue Stangl Pottery Platter $12.99 |
|
|
Waechtersbach Plate, You Are Special Today, Cherry Red $31.35 This is the original "red plate" imported from Germany where it is carefully made by Waechtersbach, producer of world famous ceramics noted for their brilliant, deep color. This plate is a perfect complement to Waechtersbach's solid cherry red dinnerware, formerly known as the "Fun Factory" line. Set the table in red and replace one setting with the "you are special" plate to honor a guest or ce... |
|
|
Corelle Livingware Winter Frost 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4 $29.63 Fashion the perfect setting for any occasion. Durable guaranteed against breakage, chipping, and staining. Storage stacks in less space than stoneware. Versatile refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher compatible. 1 year warranty covers normal household use, food preparation, serving or commercial/industrial use of Corelle products promise to replace any Corelle dinnerware that should crack,... |
|
|
Signature Housewares Sorrento Set of 3 Canisters Looking to add to your Sorrento accessory collection? This Sorrento Set of three canisters in gold is sure to please. The canisters are 80-ounces; 48-ounces and 36-ounces respectively each with a silicon seal. Made of stoneware, these sets are durable and made for everyday use: perfect for flour, sugar, pastas and beans. These items are all dishwasher safe, for easy cleaning and years of use! A st... |
|
|
Pottree DVD 2 of 5 - Platters to Teapots $49.95 Sharpen your ceramic skills and learn from the Masters themselves, Randy Brodnax and Don Ellis, as they instruct you step by step on how to create timeless works of art. This instructional DVD covers a variety of advanced ceramic techniques that no ceramic artist should go without.... |
|
|
Nectarines and Angel, 1999 (oil on board) .. - Greeting Card (Pack of 2) - 7x5 inch - Art247 - Standard Size - Pack Of 2 $6.50 This photographic Greeting Card is created on 300gsm FSC approved card. The result - a stunning reproduction at an affordable price. Actual size 7x5 inch.Greeting card comes with high grade white envelope as standard.This is an automated preview only. Actual Greeting Card design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected... |
