The design of the Maltese dgħajsa - pronounced ‘dye- sa(as su for sun) -, like that of the Luzzu, is believed to date back at least to Phoenician times. Living in a small island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese have developed an age-old tradition of boat typologies that have become part of the Island’s heritage. The dgħajsa is usually propelled by one man standing, facing forward, and pushing on two oars. Most dgħajsas are now equipped with outboards.
In days gone by the dgħajsa was the water taxi that carried passengers to and from ships moored away from the quays in Grand Harbour.
These boats have slowly been disappearing from our shores. Up until the 1970’s There were approximately a thousand of these boats registered. There is now only a few dozen left, one of which was commissioned to Princess Elizabeth during her Naval Duties here before she became the QUEEN. This boat has been fully restored and re-launched. Tourism has ensured that these boats not only survive but are a popular means of getting around the Three Cities of Senglea, Vittorioss and Cospicua.
Notice that the ħ of dgħajsa has a dash along its top. In the Maltese alphabet there are three h’s: għ which had a guttural sound but is not pronounced nowadays except when it is joined to another of the h’s; the h (without the dash) which also has no sound unless it is joined to one of the others and the
Ħ which has the sound of the h in the English Alphabet.
Thank you very much for looking and for your lovely comments on yesterday’s picture.
I like how you shot it - has a picture postcard look to it.