In this activity you will be able to listen to traditional songs and melodies of the Maltese Islands – some still commonly heard today, and others which have slipped out of recollection. The Ġukulari Ensemble has become synonymous with historically-informed performances of Malta’s music. The group adopts its name from the Maltese fifteenth-century musicians on the islands (juculari) who performed, sang and entertained at medieval weddings. In this activity you will understand that some melodies, songs and dances as well as certain musical instruments always return at the same time of year and remain typical of that particular period, suggesting their probable association with bygone seasonal ritual. Click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1f2_XO2qtk

You will also listen to extracts played by traditional instruments, including it-tanbur (Maltese frame drum), il-flejguta (Maltese cane flute) and iz-zafzafa (Maltese friction drum). In this link you can see Toni Camilleri playing it-tanbur. You can try to imitate him by playing tambourine (if you have one at home) and try to use the same technique. Click on these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkUAX8mvm1w

https://www.rubenzahra.com/products/tanbur/

Please note that iz-zafzafa was very much played in traditional Maltese villages during Carnival. If you have drums and any percussion instruments at home, listen again to the recordings and play the instruments, alongside the recording of Maltese musical extracts. When doing so, try to keep the beat and imitate the same rhythm features that you are able to pick up whilst listening attentively to the music. This activity should take approximately 20 minutes.

Now try to compose simple melodies and rhythms in same style of the recordings, keeping in mind the Maltese traditional sound. As follow-up of this activity you are encouraged to do some research on Maltese music, composers and instruments.

Enjoy!