Folklore fir-rħajjel qadim ta' Bubaqra

Abstract

This study about the folklore surviving in the small village of Bubaqra, is based upon material extracted from unpublished documents, as well as on interviews with elderly people. These interviews yielded useful material for comparison with similar traditions found in other villages. To trace and identify such similarities, it was necessary to peruse the scattered literature relating to this subject. Section I deals with the rich toponomastic nomenclature found in the neighbourhood of Bubaqra. Sections II to IV concerns the popular religious devotions of the villager: Section V gives us a view of the main aspects of entertainment in the past. Section VI covers the traditions related to the main episodes in the life of each individual; while Section VI: provides examples of various songs and games children from Bubaqra used to recite or play. The various folk-songs I gathered from those interviewed, are dealt with in Section VIII, and Section IX concerns folk-medicine. The next two sections concern various superstitions and sayings relating to the weather. Section XII assesses the present state of traditional lore in this tiny village, and the possibilities, if any, of its retention and survival in the face of progress and the so called 'modern values'.