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The Setting
A mere 27km in length and 14.5 km at the widest point, this small
Mediterranean Island has many time gone unnoticed by conventional tourism -
but not by time and experienced travellers.
A history that spans over 7,000 years has made Malta a complex and fascinating
amalgam of ethnic influences. Fought and dominated over the millennia by
various naval powers, seeking to take control of it strategic position in
the middle of Mediterranean shipping lanes, has left a legacy of varied
cultures. The Arabs introduced the citrus tree and the flat-topped houses
and set the foundations for the Maltese language. The Aragonese, from
Central Spain, left their mark in the medieval architecture of Malta's
historical town centres and the enclosed wooden balconies that typify the
splendid town houses.
Despite a historical heritage worth 7,000 years, the Maltese are not the
type to live in the past, but instead, have managed to make it part of
their everyday life. Pre-historical temples dating back 3,500 - 4,000 years
can still be seen standing today as part of the Maltese skyline. The 'Sacra
Infermeria' (Holy Infirmary), the largest and most renowned hospital of the
Knights of St John is today an award-winning modernly equipped conference
centre. The Grand Masters Palace is today their Parliament.
Within this environment if rich history and culture, once a year everyone
in Malta gathers in the
fortified capital city of Valletta
for the annual festival of the Carnival.
For many years, Carnival has completely entrenched itself in Maltese
tradition. It represents a colourful event, in which people from all walks
of life participate. People who make it their passion in life to build the
big floats enjoy the fruit of a year's hard labour by astounding onlookers
by the craftsmanship and dedication of their work. These floats roam the
streets of Valletta
displaying their colours and the imagination of their creators.
Carnival in Malta
takes off 5 days before Lent. Traditionally this was the time to indulge
and feast before sobering up for the 40-day fast which in Christian and
Catholic tradition preceded the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.
History of the Carnival in Malta
Carnivals in Malta, as
we know them now, were first organised shortly after the Knights of St.
John came to the Island in 1530. The first
that really broke out into general jollification was probably the Carnival
of 1560, when a massed Christian armada was harbour-bound in Malta before sailing to Tripoli. The Grand Admiral sent his men
ashore while Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Vallette sanctioned the wearing
of masks in public, which no doubt helped to ease their inhibition. This
was a marked contrast to the action of Grand Master Lascaris who in 1639
prohibited the wearing of masks by women under penalty of their being
whipped.
By the middle of the 18th Century, Carnival in Valletta was in its heyday. From 1751
onwards a rival Carnival attraction took place in the nearby town of Floriana, a few weeks
before Carnival proper and it too, involved a defile of masks and
carriages. The Order encouraged the craze by staging extra Carnivals called
Mad Carnivals for special occasions. During that period it was usual for
the Grand Master's carriage to head the Carnival Procession where it would
be flanked by cavalry marching to the beat of the drums.
For many years now, Carnival in Malta has been re-established
as a season of general jollification. Today Carnival is one of the main
Cultural events in the rich and colourful Maltese Cultural calendar.
Carnival is organised prior to the Catholic period of Lent, which comes
prior to the religious festivities of Easter Sunday. The main activities
are held in the streets of the Maltese capital Valletta
and nearby Floriana, but other activities are held in various villages in Malta and
its sister island Gozo.
The "Kukkanja"
A carnival attraction was added in 1721 called Il-Kukkanja (the cockaigne),
which proved to be extremely popular. It did not last very long as Grand
Master De Rohan suppressed it and an attempt by the British to revive it
was unsuccessful. The Kukkanja was held in the city main square.
This is how it was described by one of the locals: "Long beams were
fixed against the guard house opposite the palace, and between each beam,
rope-ladders were fastened, the whole being covered over with branches of
trees in leaf, to which were tied live animals, baskets full of eggs, hams,
sausages and all kinds of provisions.
The wooden edifice was crowned with a globe, made up of hoops and covered
with linen cloth, on which stood the figure of Fame holding a flag with the
Grand Master's coat of arms. Crowds of people assembled in the spacious
square and at a given signal started the attack on the Kukkanja. The
provisions became the property of those who, having seized them, were able
to carry them safely through the crowds.
To the first individual who reached the figure of Fame was allotted some
pecuniary remuneration which was well earned, considering the struggle he
had gone through to reach the object, and on the standard being taken to be
returned to the Grand Master, the cloth-covered globe burst open and out
came a flight of pigeons."
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