Understanding pastoral paradigm shift : the historical transformation of the rural village Wied il-Għajn into an urban conglomeration Marsaskala

Abstract

This locality in Malta is known under two different names. In the past, this area was better known as Wied il-Gliajn, as the bay and the old small village is flanked by two valleys, through which, a spring of fresh water used to flow down into the innermost bay. Wied means valley and Ghajn is a reference to a spring of fresh water. Literally, Wied il-Ghajn means a Spring Valley. The name Marsaskala is derived from Marsa-scala. Different opinions exist regarding the origin of this name. While lvfarsa is an Arabic word meaning bay, Scala may be derived from Sqalli (Sicilian), for this village was :frequented by Sicilian fishermen since Sicily is approximately 96 kilometers North of Malta. Maybe it derived from the Sicilian 'Piccola Cala' which means a little inlet or it was just a reference to some rock-cut steps on the water's edge as Scala also means flight of steps. Marsaskala is now considered a sea-side town, which has developed around the small harbour known as Marsaskala Bay, or better still as a long narrow inlet referred to as Marsaskala Creek. The bay is sheltered to the north by Ras ii-Zonqor (Zonqor Point), which consists of low cliffs, and to the south by the headland of Ras il-Giira (Gzira point). The village extends along both sides of the bay, and across most of il-Hamrija (the soil), a creek leading to ll-Ponta tal-Gzira (Gzira Point). Marsaskala Bay is largely edged by a promenade, with low shelving rocks cut with salt pans on the seaward face of Ras ic-Cerna (rock-cod's head), which continues round the eastern point, past l-Abjad iz-Zghir (the small white zone), and into il-Bajja ta' San Tumas (St Thomas Bay) to the South.