During Holy Week the church bells in Malta are usually silent. In many parishes these are replaced by wooden clappers and scrapers. In the past children were also given similar instruments as toys during this period. The different types of instruments are all known in Maltese by the name 'ċuqlajta'.
This type of clapper consists of a central handle with a flap on either side. All three parts are strung together with string, leather or wire (as in the photograph). The instrument is used inside the churches on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and was also used by children as a toy.
L-istrumenti li jintużaw fi żmien il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa bil-Malti kollha nsejħulhom bl-istess isem - Ċuqlajta jew Ċoklajta u jintużaw flok qniepen. Hemm diversi tipi ta' ċuqlajta. Dan it-tip jintuża / jew kien jintuża f'xi knejjes bħal f'Hal-Qormi, L-Imqabba, il Gudja, Ħad-Dingli u ta' Sannat Għawdex. Kien ukoll jintuża mit-tfal bħala ġugarell, u fil-knejjes fi żmien il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa, ġeneralment f'l-Erbgħa tat-Tniebri. L-istrument jissejjah 'clapper' bl-Ingliż, 'crotalo' bit-Taljan, u interessanti li fi Sqallija jissejjah 'Cioch'.
Ara Campus FM, Rittmi Mlewna,
Intervista ta' Silvio John Camilleri, (minn 22.31 sa 33.52).
