Żaqq

Example of a żaqq, in the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum.

The żaqq (Maltese pronunciation: [zɐʔ]) is the most common form of Maltese bagpipes, and was once associated with Maltese folk festivals.^[1]

History

The use of the żaqq in daily life came to an end in the 1970s, the instrument having been perhaps replaced by the accordion earlier in the century.^[2] In 1977 the Galpin Society noted only nine remaining traditional pipers in Malta; the last of these, Toni "l-Hammarun" Cachia, died in 2004.^[3] Various folk music ensembles such as Etnika have attempted to revive the instrument.

Etymology and spelling

It is sometimes erroneously referred to as the zapp due to a spelling error in a 1939 English-language publication. The Maltese word żaqq literally means "sack" or "belly" and derives from Arabic ziqq ( "skin" [as a receptacle]). is sometimes stated that żaqq derives from Italian zampogna but this is not the case.

Further reading

• Ruben Zahra. Iz-zaqq the Maltese bagpipe. Mills College Theses, Mills College

References

1. Lino Bugeja; Mario Buhagiar; Stanley Fiorini (1993). Birgu: a Maltese maritime city. Malta University Services. p. 382. ISBN 978-99909-44-01-3. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
2. Journal of Mediterranean studies. Mediterranean Institute, University of Malta. 1 January 1995. p. 82. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
3. Galpin Society (2001). Newsletter. Galpin Society. p. 71. Retrieved 14 August 2012.. Last of the Maltese Bagpipers of Old'