THE WOMEN OF MALTA.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 61, 23 August 1940, Page 24

THE WOMEN OF MALTA.

Sir,-In your very interesting page, "Did You Hear This?" I came upon a ‘paragraph giving an extract from a recent radio broadcast by Miss Edna Parson, from 3YA, entitled "Talk on Malta." Now, I am well aware that it is not quite the thing to contradict a lady, nor do I presume to do so, but as one who has lived a considerable time amongst the goats and aromas, good and bad, of Malta, and also as one who specially made a point of developing, and cultivating, a friendship with the Maltese people, may I dare to gay that I do NOT agree with the respected lady’s reason why the Maltese women wear the Faldetta!!! The accepted version that is current among the Maltese people themselves is that the Faldetta is a "Hood of Shame." During the occupation of Malta by the Turks a High Lady of MaltaI cannot recall her name or standing in society, but I think she was a daughter of a member of the Council of Maltawent to the extreme of throwing herself naked over the high Barracca, overlooking Grand Harbour, as a protest against the ravishing of her fellow womenfolk. Result, the evolution of the

"Hood of Shame" worn, from that time, as a sign by the womenfolk of their feelings in the matter! Perhaps I am wrong in this correction of a lady, but if I am, Sir, quite a number of highly respected Maltese are wrong also. Nowadays, the wearing of the Faldetta, although not by any means "out of fashion." is left to the older women, in the main, but the young ladies of Malta much prefer the high lights of fashion; at least, so it seemed to me! Another point, by jove, if I may still go on contradicting, but the remark made that the women do not learn English would raise a storm if heard in Malta! English is prevalent among all classes

-witness the educational system which is excellent. Should this letter interest you to the point of printing, allow me to point out that I am not looking for an argument, but feel I cannot allow my Maltese friends and their customs and schooling to be presented inaccurately. Nor can I close without expressing my surprise that Miss Parson found the love of colour lacking in Malta, except among the boatmen. Ah! Miss Parson, did you not have the pleasure of witnessing Carnival time in Malta, or, for that matter, any of the feast day parades? Having vindicated my friends, now undergoing the horrors of war, may I say how much I enjoy reading The Listener, which is very enterprising and well worth getting.

SALTWATER

(Devonport).