Source: Melita Historica : Journal of the Malta Historical Society. 14(2006)3(352-353)

[p.352] Lanfranco Guido, Drawwiet uĦajja Mill-Istorja ta' Malta, Wise Owl Publications, Malta 2005, pp. 167 illus., ISBN: 99932-32-46-7.

Mr Guido Lanfranco needs no introduction to whoever is interested in Maltese history, folklore, folk medicine or natural history due to his far-ranging list of publications, to which one must add a great number of articles (usually annotated) found in the local press, periodicals and parish publications. His interest in folklore and his drive to keep alive the memory of old Maltese traditions and customs has found its expression in various writings aimed to ensure that the younger generation in particular would be given an even chance to become cognizant of obsolete usages. These are part and parcel of our nation's history and it would indeed be a great loss to our national culture if they are left unrecorded. Indeed, the doyen of Maltese folklore, the late Ġuzè Cassar Pullicino, blazed the way with his scholarly contributions. Mr Lanfranco has followed suit, albeit in a more popular manner.

Mr Lanfranco has recorded many traditions and customs through his writings and illustrations. However, a multiplicity of articles distributed among a plethora of publications is certainly not the best way to ensure their continued reading and usefulness. So it was a good idea to group together a number of Mr Lanfranco's articles in an illustrated book, naturally after the necessary updating, corrections and insertions of references was carried out. In this way, all those interested in Maltese social history have been presented with an up-to-date rendition of various aspects of local social history.

The publication under review includes no less than 38 illustrated contributions which vary in content but mainly include various religious aspects including folkloristic usages connected with local festa celebrations. An important aspect of each contribution is the historical background which builds up the information to the present time or to the years when that particular custom died out or was discontinued. A typical example is the use of the parish bullettini by which parish priests could keep tabs on the parishioners who carried out their religious obligation of receiving Holy Communion at Eastertide. This custom was discontinued after 1967 and so, Maltese under the age of 45 years (at least) would have no idea of this usage unless they read something about it. The same applies to Music Boxes (terramaxka) in the streets, customs connected with fasting and abstinence, the sale of toys at the feast of St Venera, parish reliquaries, and so on.

Mr Lanfranco has dedicated this book to those young students who appreciate the way of life of our Maltese forefathers. This sums up his main aim, which has already been referred to: to keep a written record of our forefathers' way of life under different aspects. Many of us tend to forget what happened just a couple of decades ago and so a written record of our social interactions of the past is something which should be appreciated by one and all.

The book is written in an easy, flowing style which should not present any [p.353] problems to the general reader. Most of the articles are annotated, mainly though secondary works but which are themselves based on primary sources. Such notes are useful to those readers who may wish to delve deeper in a particular subject.

Although an index is lacking and, in my opinion, should be included in all publications of this nature, I do not hesitate in recommending this book to all lovers of Maltese culture and melitensia.

Joseph F. Grima