This page will mainly deal with the traditional Maltese G[ana Music (pronounced "Anah"). You will find some information on Maltese music in Australia as well as accounts of my visits to Malta in search of more information. You will discover guitarists (kitarristi) and folk singers (Ghannejja) and images of my musical adventures in researching the subject. While my interest in Ghana music dates back to early childhood, I started my serious research over seventeen years ago. I hope this website will help you share my journey. Email: manniec@optusnet.com.au Website: www.manuelcasha.com MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/manniecasha ***********
Last Saturday the 16th of August 2008 was the 20th anniversary of the first celebration of the Maltese Folklore Mass in Australia which took place in St Joseph's Catholic Church in Springvale, in the southern suburbs of Melbourne.
The idea of the mass was that of Father Anthony Zammit who was serving as a priest at St Joseph's Parish at that time. Fr. Anthony was a Gozitan who was exposed to Maltese Ghana (aannah) singing from childhood and always had the wish to see it done in Australia having seen it in celebrated at Mgarr for the first time by Frans Baldacchino "il-Budaj" before coming to Australia.
Before the project could go ahead Father Zammit approached Victor Aquilina regarding finding the ghannejja (folk singers) and kitarristi (Folk guitarists) who in turn referred him to me. While this was a big challenge, with many a big hurdle to be overcome, I was very interested in seeing the Maltese folklore Mass presented for the first time in Australia. Frans Baldacchino, who was a great friend of mine and with whom I was in close correspondence had sent me a copy of the first mass ha had sung at Mgarr and I was most inspired with the result.
In a short time I invited five ghannejja to be involved who all immediately accepted the responsibility. After that I invited the guitarists who also accepted immediately… and the project was on its way. Cikku Camilleri "Imqabba" attended the rehearsals but although he appears on the programme he did not take part on the day.
Victor Aquilina - Narrator
After the mass the group with some other Maltese artists i invited produced a "lejla maltija" Maltese Night, which included other artists like George Spiteri, Joe Gauci, Lairie Armato, Indri and Lee Cassar and even father Anrhony sung a few old humorious ditties.
The authors of the verses where Professor Oliver Friggieri and the late Maltese language scholar, Guze Cardona.
The Ghannejja who took part in that great milestone for Maltese Traditional Music in Australia were as follows.
The narrator was Victor Aquilina
The celebrant was Father Anthony Zammit assisted by another local priest.
Musical themes and personnel Co-ordinator: Manuel Casha
The mass was recorded by Radio 3EA with the intention of broadcasting it nationally but due to a technical glitch the recording did not come out, which remains a sad loss to Maltese Traditional history in Australia. One can only imagine what a treasured recording this would have been for posterity. Luckily a domestic video was taken which was edited and produced by Fr. Anthony which is what remains from this historical occasion.
The Maltese Folklore mass went on to be celebrated many times afterwards in Australia, under the coordination of one of nthe orginal ghannejja Georeg Aquilina "Nofs il-Lejl", but the original Folklore Mass at Springvale was a special moment in time in the history of Maltese Ghana and Prejjem music.
Manuel Casha 16 August 2008 Email: manniec@optusnet.com.au