Oral poetry in the Maltese Islands : imagery relating to love

Abstract

The Maltese archipelago, consisting of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Kemmuna, with an indigenous population of 340,907 according to the 1985 census, lies at the centre of the Mediterranean, about 90 km south of Sicily, less than 300 km from Africa, and roughly midway between the eastern and western ends of the Mediterranean. Covering an area of just over 315 sq km, it has always been a land of contact, linked to the Arab world by its ancient language 'structurally Semitic but with a Romance superstructure', and to Europe by its Catholicism and long association with a succession of Western rulers, until the attainment of independence in 1964. In a special sense, Malta is heir to Mediterranean culture, as witness, for instance, its folklore which contains elements found in southern Italy and the Maghreb. An example of this synthesis is the festival cycle (23-9 June) culminating in 'L-Imnarja', the 'Festival of Lights', celebrated on the feast of SS Peter and Paul (28-9 June) which probably belonged to both European and Maghrebian rites. This rustic festival is a favourite occasion for the Maltese to hold poetic contests attended by crowds of people. Ruth Finnegan's statement - 'Oral poetry is not just something of far away and long ago' - is indeed appropriate to Malta, where it is 'still one of the main sources of popular entertainment for both the locals and immigrants. Occasionally, folk singers tour Australia or Canada at the invitation of Maltese communities. Modern mass media such as cassettes, radio and TV also contribute towards keeping the tradition alive. [excerpt]