Maltese
boats representing and symbolizing our country is a must for our geographical
location surrounded by the sea, especially with our tradition of decorating our
own way on almost everything we had/have in our culture. These boats used to be
(and still are these days) commonly for fishing, but like most traditional
subjects, this has become a service for tourist services like carrying them
between Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. We have a number of
Vernacular boats in our island and all have an interesting name which also
showcase our unique language with them. Including are “Luzzu, Kajjik, Dghajsa,
Frejgatina, Firilla, Bimbu, Lanca, Lampara, Tal-Midalji.
Variations differ with size and extra compartments, making use for different uses and comfort among fishermen.
My personal
view of the “Dghajsa” includes a strong reflection to our culture, especially
with the vibrating vivid colors that represent our sunny weather and colorful
citizen characters. Their craftsmanship clearly proves how much our fathers
were dedicated to their passions and hobbies.
Victorian design is represented on
a part at the top on the brown strip. This is clear with the British colony on
the Islands, also the involvement of the British commission for Princess
Elizabeth’s boat to ferry her to the ship in Vittoriosa. Also a “Dghajsa
tal-Midalja” was used when Prince William attended the 50th
Anniversary celebrations for Malta’s independence. The “Dghajsa tal-Midalja”
was derived from the “Luzzu” with a variation in aesthetic and speed use. In
modern days, they are used for the popular Regatta, being a race with these
boats, only designed more for the event rather than the traditional ones.
Resemblance
with Egyptian and Victorian design is exposed with the eyes and design, also
the shape. How the colors represent the country’s character and culture is an
element which strongly goes hand in hand with both.
It
is inevitable to not make use of these boats in contemporary art. A Maltese
artist makes use of the “Luzzu” design, only in a form of a WC we use normally.
Its large scale in my view puts focus on artistic meaning, which does not seem
to be mentioned by himself. From my point of imagination, this symbolizes how
our modern minds are erasing and devaluing our own craftsmanship, culture and
tradition. Our "Luzzu" inspires me to make use of traditional and vernacular designs in my work so as to cherish what we truly are passionate about, which is dedication to what you are made of and what made you who you are... your country and the people.
Stephanie Said: A Case-Study of a Maltese Traditional Boat | Stephanie Said - Academia.edu. 2015. The Firilla: A Case-Study of a Maltese Traditional Boat | Stephanie Said - Academia.edu. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.academia.edu/10074441/The_Firilla_A_Case-Study_of_a_Maltese_Traditional_Boat. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Vassallo History | Maltese History & Heritage. 2015. Fishing in Malta | Maltese History & Heritage. [ONLINE] Available at:https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/fishing-in-malta/. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Sport in Malta | Boats used in Regatta. 2015. Boats used in Regatta. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sportinmalta.com/boats-used-in-regatta/. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Joe Arevalo: Maltese Fishing Boat - Luzzu. 2015. Wünderkammer: Maltese Fishing Boat - Luzzu. [ONLINE] Available at:http://filforn.blogspot.com/2010/07/luzzu-maltese-fishing-boat-date-back-at.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Kirsti Newton - A History of the Maltese Gondola | Malta | Azure Blog. 2015.The Dgħajsa - A History of the Maltese Gondola | Malta | Azure Blog. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.azure.com.mt/azure-blog/the-dghajsa-history-of-the-maltese-gondola.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
References:
Malta Bulb: A colourful Malta boat that will grab your attention!. 2015. The Luzzu: A colourful Malta boat that will grab your attention!. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.maltabulb.com/luzzu.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Malta Bulb: One of the most recognized Malta Tourist Attractions!. 2015.Malta Boats: One of the most recognized Malta Tourist Attractions!. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.maltabulb.com/malta_boats.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Stephanie Said: A Case-Study of a Maltese Traditional Boat | Stephanie Said - Academia.edu. 2015. The Firilla: A Case-Study of a Maltese Traditional Boat | Stephanie Said - Academia.edu. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.academia.edu/10074441/The_Firilla_A_Case-Study_of_a_Maltese_Traditional_Boat. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Vassallo History | Maltese History & Heritage. 2015. Fishing in Malta | Maltese History & Heritage. [ONLINE] Available at:https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/fishing-in-malta/. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Sport in Malta | Boats used in Regatta. 2015. Boats used in Regatta. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.sportinmalta.com/boats-used-in-regatta/. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Joe Arevalo: Maltese Fishing Boat - Luzzu. 2015. Wünderkammer: Maltese Fishing Boat - Luzzu. [ONLINE] Available at:http://filforn.blogspot.com/2010/07/luzzu-maltese-fishing-boat-date-back-at.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
Kirsti Newton - A History of the Maltese Gondola | Malta | Azure Blog. 2015.The Dgħajsa - A History of the Maltese Gondola | Malta | Azure Blog. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.azure.com.mt/azure-blog/the-dghajsa-history-of-the-maltese-gondola.html. [Accessed 18 May 2015].
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