Għana and Fredu Spiteri il-Lavarist – Cultural Heritage Directorate

Għana, Malta’s quintessential music tradition, has passed down orally from one generation to the next for centuries. The UNESCO inscription in 2021 recognised Għana as a rhymed expression in Maltese, both a cappella and with Għana guitar music. Today, the authentic spirit of Għana can be experienced most vividly at a Serata Għana Spirtu Pront.

Fredu Spiteri il-Lavarist, also known as ir-Reverist, was an għannej, daqqaq, makkjettist and a comic actor who reached national acclaim. His cheerful character and quick witted spirit brought joy to all. The stage had no fixed space for him: he performed while working, during regular visits to elderly homes and hospitals, spontaneous Għana street performances, Serati ta’ Varjetà with il-Muskettieri, and at the local feasts, particularly Rabat’s Carnival celebrations in Gozo. His performances, both formal and informal, remain entrenched in the social memory of locals.

[…]
Fredu mhux bniedem komuni
la tgħidux li rrid ngħallih
għax in-nies fil-Buskett jiġu
kważi kollha mħabba fih.

[…]
Forsi hawn min qiegħed jgħidli
bi Fredu kemm sa tiftaħar
għax Fredu naf x’kien isarraf
jien għadira, Fredu baħar.

[…]
Hawn tispiċċa din l-istorja,
jew disgrazzja ‘nkella Fatt.
Jekk jinsewk in-nies tad-dinja
lilek jien ma ninsik qatt.

Excerpts from a Fatt: ‘Id-Disgrazzja ta’ Fredu l-Għawdxi’ – Mikiel Abela ‘il-Bambinu’, 1988.

by George Mario Attard

Photo Credits: George Mercieca
Sound Clips: “It-tfajla tal-Belt”, “L-arka ta’ Noe”, “Id-dawra m’Għawdex” Credit: Amante Mercieca