Maltese legends of the Sibylla

Abstract

This study, originally published by Bertha Ilg in 1914, woo unknown on Malta until 1959, when I read the title Maltesische Legenden von der Sibylla on the fly leaf of her book Indianermarchen which was on display at the Book Exhibition held in Kiel during the International Congress for Folk-Narrative Research 19.8.59-24.8.59. On the 23rd September, 1959 I wrote to Frau Koessler-Ilg, who was living at San Martin de los Andes, Argentina, and asked her whether she could let me have a copy as it was not available at any Ebrary in Malta. On the 15th December, 1959 she replied: "I have no time just now to go ovel' the chaos of old papers, but as you seem to be interested I send. you the one copy left. Can you copy it and give it back to me? If I can find in the meantime another copy you may keep it. It is not a big work, only a few leaves, but I have the feeling that nobody gathered these fables, of what they are ... I wonder if you find something interesting in the Sibylla tales! ... "On May 6, 1960 I wrote saying:" ... As for your Maltesische Legenden ven der Sibylla I have had it copied and I am returning it to you ·with 1nany, many thanks. . .. I am sure it is an important contribution. Except for Fr. Magri, who mentions the Sittażbrilja motif in one of his tales, I think nobody has ever collected these fables." Dr F. J. Damato, M.D., D.O. (Oxon.) D.O.M.S., was good enough to prepare a tentative translation from the German original and on the 23rd September, 1963 I informed Frau Koessler-Ilg that I intended to publish a translation of her Maltese Legends of the Sibylla in the "Maltese Folklore Review." She agreed to this and by 1968 a fresh translation with a view to publication had been made out by Mrs Vera Venour, of the Maltese-German Circle, through the good offices of Her Excellency Frau Wollenweber, wife of the then German Ambassador to Malta, and with the co-operation of Mr J. Pisani, at that time Chairman of the Circle, and of the Rev. J. M. Milne, M.A., B.D. Grateful thanks are due to all who have in any way helped towards the publication of this important study. - The Editor