TRADITIONAL MATLESE BOATS T he smal l col ou r fu l wor k i n g b oa ts th a t c a n b e s e e n f lo a t in g a ro u n d t h e s ho re s o f t he is la nd devel oped ov e r a p e r i od of h u n d re d of y e a r s a n d h a ve b e c o m e s y m b o ls o f lo c a l id e nt it y a nd ic o n s of i nterest to v i s i tor s to th e i s l a n d . Th e s ha d e s o f re d , y e llow , b lue a n d g re e n s y m b o lis e t he la nd , th e s u n , th e s e a a n d th e g re e n f ie ld s , re p re s e nt ing a f is h e r m a n ’s h o me villa g e
Wo rd s by Te r re nc e Mif s ud
THE XPRUNARA Developed from the brigantine (another sailing vessel) in the 16th century, the Xprunara was a merchant craft, ferrying goods between Malta and Sicily. These twelve hour rides carried grain, corn, and livestock. The xprunara has inspired various other boats, such as the the Gozo boat, and the ‘dgħajsa tal-latini’ (the boat of the Latins). These type of boats became obsolete in the 20th century due to ever-changing technology.
18 OH MY MALTA Photo: Paul Herrera
Requiem for Juliet
