The Maltese Bagpipe, known as iż-żaqq, is
traditionally associated with Christmas time when pipers often accompanied by a tambourine player, roamed the streets
playing pastoral melodies.
The żaqq is a rare instrument of its kind. The bag with fur on the outside includes all four legs and tail. The double pipe chanter (saqqafa) is inserted into the neck of the animal skin and terminates in a bull horn. The bag is usually made of goa skin or that of a prematurely aborted calf. Previously dogskin was also used and occasionally even a large cat.
The żaqq is a rare instrument of its kind. The bag with fur on the outside includes all four legs and tail. The double pipe chanter (saqqafa) is inserted into the neck of the animal skin and terminates in a bull horn. The bag is usually made of goa skin or that of a prematurely aborted calf. Previously dogskin was also used and occasionally even a large cat.
This large
clay figure was originally made for a Christmas crib and traditionally the
bagpiper is seen playing to the Child Jesus. Though several of these bagpiper figures
were made over the years, not many are found holding a Maltese zaqq. This late 19th
century figure in biblical clothing is in motion holding a Maltese version of
the bagpipe held beneath the right arm, with all four legs pointing upwards. He
is blowing into the blowpipe (l-imserka) which was usually made of Arundo donax (qasab) as also was the chanter. Fingerholes, which are not visible here, were 5 on the
left and 1 on the right. The horn bell has unfortunately broken off.
Clay Figure –
26.5cm high, 11 cm wide
on a square wooden base
on a square wooden base
