Essay

Maltese traditional Boats (Il-Luzzu)

By Selene Sue Frendo

 Group: C

The luzzu which is the Maltese traditional fishing boat is famous not only in the Maltese islands but also all over the world since many tourists make use of the luzzu when visiting our beautiful country. The luzzu are beautifully kept and decorated with bright colours to attract the eye, like yellow, green, blue, orange, brown and red, which are mostly used. In the front of the bow of the boat fishermen painted eyes because legends said that the eye can protect the fishermen from the bad weather, storms and evil spirits. People feared evil so they used charms and signs thinking they would be protected. In my opinion I prefer to make the sign of the cross and say a prayer to be protected. I am sure that asking Jesus for protection will make more sense. I just learnt that eyes on the boat are the eyes of the Egyptian God Osiris. Osiris was the Egyptian God of the underworld and the husband and brother of Isis. Osiris was the King and the judge of the dead. His wife was the Goddess of fertility. The Phoenicians and the Romans were the first who started this tradition of painting the eyes of Osiris (usually described as a man, and bandaged as a mummy, having a beard and wearing a crown).

Figure 1:Il- Luzzu

Figure 2:Il-Luzzu (2)

These traditional fishing boats are found mostly in Marsaxlokk, which is a fishing village. Other places where one can find these luzzu are Mellieha, Lapsi, M'Scala, San Pawl, etc... since these places are near the sea. The Luzzu were designed by the Phoenicians and at that time they used to have sails and oars. Nowadays they are mostly equipped with diesel engines. It's design is used till today to keep the tradition and because it's original shape is designed to stand the bad weather. The boats normally have a double- ended hull and are strongly built with wood. The luzzu is one of the many Maltese symbols which one could see on the Maltese lira coins from the year 1979-1989.

 

Figure 3: Maltese 2 pounds, 1981

The luzzu are not used only for fishing. If you visit Wied iz- Zurrieq the tourists use the luzzu to visit the Blue Grotto or for day trips especially from Cirkewwa to Gozo. Many excursions carried out with the Maltese luzzu are a perfect way to experience the Maltese culture and scenery of the Maltese Islands, Comino and the Blue Lagoon. In the Regatta rowing race the luzzu is used also to keep the yearly tradition of the 8th September (Il- Vitorja), a historical racing event. Lately the luzzu is also being used for parties, wedding after parties and get togethers for batchelors and hens parties. Some luzzi have been converted and equipped with sound system, BBQ and other necessary facilities.

The fishing boats are usually used in the Lampuki season which is from August till November. During these months  the lampuki migrate through the Maltese islands and caught using the luzzu by our clever fishermen. In other countries traditional fishing boats are still in use to catch fish. Only one third of the undecked fishing boats were powered with outboard engines. According to the F.A.O ,at the end of 2004,1.8 million boats were traditional crafts operated by sails and oars like the old days.

The development of traditional fishing boats in other countries took place with the development of boats which were built for trade and war. Animal skins and woven fabrics were used for sails, allowing voyages for exploration and fishing. Indonesia and the Philippines reported 700,000 current fishing boats, 25% of them are dug out canoes and half of them are without motors. Traditional fishing boats usually develop over time to meet the local conditions such as materials available for boat building, sea and weather conditions encountered. This is the reason every country has it's style and design.


 Tal-Luzzu is my familie's nickname because my grand grand father was a fisherman and owned one. He even used to take part in the traditional racing event of the Regatta. One can still see his photos at the Regatta Club of Cospicua were he lived. 

Figure 4:Traditional Philippines fishing boat with outriggers (pump boats)

Figure 5:fishing boats in Gambia

Figure 6:Fishing boats in Thailand

Figure 7:Dhonis are the traditional fishing boat of the Maldives

Figure 8: Traditional Vietnamese fishing boat

               These boats were all used and designed for fishing before engines were invented.

Works Cited

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