Incredible footage that has recently resurfaced from the British archives shines a fascinating spotlight on what Malta was like in 1933. The vintage video begins with a description of Valletta’s Grand Harbour in what I call the ‘vintage voice’ – you’ll know what I mean once you hear it!
The video touches on the early history of Valletta, when Jean de la Valette erected the gate and walls of the city in 1566. After the brief historical mention, it jumps right into Malta as a British colony. “Malta is another of Great Britain’s naval bases and is the seat of the Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean Forces. The Maltese have changed much since the coming of the English,” says the narrator. And boy, had we.
The video delves into to customs that the Maltese used to practice at the time, not only in Valletta but in other towns, too.
The traditional ghonnella
“The peculiar black headdress of the women is the sole relic of the old national costume,” says the narrator. An ghonnella is a headdress and shawl or hooded cloak that originated and is similar to the Turkish charshaf, but distinguishably had a piece of cardboard sewn inside the hood. The garment isn’t worn today - because fashions changed, obvs - but it is still an incredible part of our heritage. Meghan Markle even wore one during her visit to Malta a few years back!
Door-to-door milk delivery
“But the method of the house-to-house milk delivery has remained unchanged,” the narrator continues. Back in the 1930s, a young man would roam the streets with goats to deliver fresh milk to citizens. “Twice a day, in early morning and late afternoon the goats are driven through the streets and milked.”
Watch the incredible footage here: