'Statwi u nicec fi triqatna'
Author: Sean Chircop
Publisher: Wirt iz-Zejtun / 2020
Pages: 237
This is a book published by the NGO Wirt iz-Zejtun on the 10th anniversary of its foundation.
Zejtun, like other old and large parishes around Malta, like Valletta, Qormi, Birkirkara, Mosta and the like, still preserves statues and niches on street corners, put up in previous centuries at a time when society was far more faith-based.
The statues and the niches embellish the streetscape which in our time have been replaced by shops and storefronts. They bear studying but I do not know of any such study except this one and the one related to Valletta's streets.
Zejtun is a village born out of two small villages, Bisqallin (maybe indicative of Sicilians) or Ir-rahal t'isfel, and its counterparts, Hal Bisbut, Hal Gwann, Il-Gwiedi and Il-Herba or (Ir-rahal ta' fuq) joined together by the streets and alleys known as Ic-Centru, dating back to the time when the two earlier small villages were persuaded to accept to build the new parish church equidistant from the two areas, around 1600.
The author has approached his theme along this geographical scheme and the book thus serves as a sort of ramble around the various areas.
Originally, Zejtun or The Land of St Catherine, as it was originally known, extended to areas we now know as Zabbar, Ghaxaq, Marsaxlokk and Marsascala.
The book contains an analysis and detailed study of around 100 such statues or niches, dating back to the beginning of the 18th century when the frequent raids by Turks had died off and people could live in relative affluence and peace reflected in bigger houses.
The author also points out to a previous book by Tony Terribile and lists a number of niches that have disappeared over the years, mainly through neglect.
Many of the niches and statues are accompanied by a marble slab which outlines the indulgence granted to those who say a prayer to the saint to whom the niche is dedicated. The oldest dates from 1770 and is dedicated to St Francis Xavier. It is to be found in a rather outlying area of Zejtun, on the road leading to Marsaxlokk. It is signed by Bishop Giovanni Pellerano and thus dates to before the arrival of the French.
Thematically, the greatest number of niches, many of vernacular and artisanal make, are dedicated to Christ's passion and death, understandable in view of the highly popular Good Friday procession in Zejtun.
Next comes the devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, rather strange in that the devotion does not have a statue or procession in the parish church, though there is an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Nor is there a related confraternity, except recently, though there is one dedicated to Our Lady of the Girdle and another to Our Lady of the Rosary.
As already said, many of the niches and statues are vernacular, but sometimes top sculptors were called upon such as Xandru Farrugia and his son Giovanni, and Pietru Pawl Zahra, the father of the artist Francesco Zahra.
This book shows the wealth of history, art and heritage that is to be found in just one of our villages. There's more to be discovered in the various alleyways and streets, especially the many houses that date back to this same age and which still have not succumbed to the craziness of being pulled down and replaced by anonymous apartments.