The kajjik or kajjikk is a traditional fishing boat from Malta. It developed in the 17th century from caïques which were used elsewhere in the Mediterranean. In the past, kajjikki were equipped with sails and oars, but today the fishing boats are powered by inboard motors. Variants of the boat participate in the rowing regattas held twice every year.
A kajjik in Malta in 2011, with a luzzu in the background
The kajjik developed in the 17th century from the caïques which accompanied galleys of the navy of the Order of Saint John. The boats were usually used as fishing boats, but some were also used to carry passengers.[1]
Variants of the kajjik included the kajjik tal-kopp and the kajjik tal-lampara. The latter had a light source attached to the bow which allowed fishing at night.[2] Another variant was the kajjik tal-gangmu, which had a low bow and a short forestem originally intended for fishing for seashells.[1] This was also used to recover coal which had fallen to the seabed while being loaded onto ships in the Grand Harbour.[2]
The flat stern of a kajjik as opposed to the double-ended hull of the luzzu
From about 1920, inboard motors were installed on some kajjikki which were used for fishing. Today, the boats are no longer being built and they are on the decline. However, many examples still exist and remain in use as fishing boats, particularly at St. Paul's Bay and Marsaxlokk.[1]
Descriptionedit
The kajjik bears similarities to the dgħajsa tal-pass, but it is of stronger construction and it has a flat stern. The boats were originally equipped with both oars and sails. They would have a single mast rigged with a spritsail. Today they are propelled by engines.[1]
Regatta variantsedit
A Kalkarakajjik at the regatta of 8 September 2008
Variants of the kajjik are commonly used in the rowing regattas held in the Grand Harbour on 31 March and 8 September each year.[3] They have been participating in the September regatta since 1822. Initially, kajjikki tal-kopp were used in the races, but purpose-built versions of the boats were introduced later.[4]
The kajjik used in the modern regatta has two oars, and it is manned by a crew of two, one standing and one seated.[3] It is 4.11 metres (13.5 ft) long, has a beam of 1.42 metres (4 ft 8 in) and a depth of 0.53 metres (1 ft 9 in).[4]
Variants of other traditional boats, the dgħajsa and frejgatina, also compete in the regatta.[4][3]
Referencesedit
^ abcdMuscat, Joseph (2005). (PDF). Malta Archaeological Review (6): 26–40. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2020.
^ abMuscat, Joseph (2012). (PDF). L-Imnara (in Maltese). 10 (1). Għaqda Maltija tal-Folklor: 15–20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2020.
^ abcCocks, Paul (23 August 2016). . Malta Today. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020.
^ abcSerracino, Joseph (9 September 2010). . SportinMalta.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017.
April 09, 2024
kajjik, kajjik, kajjikk, traditional, fishing, boat, from, malta, developed, 17th, century, from, caïques, which, were, used, elsewhere, mediterranean, past, kajjikki, were, equipped, with, sails, oars, today, fishing, boats, powered, inboard, motors, variants. The kajjik or kajjikk is a traditional fishing boat from Malta It developed in the 17th century from caiques which were used elsewhere in the Mediterranean In the past kajjikki were equipped with sails and oars but today the fishing boats are powered by inboard motors Variants of the boat participate in the rowing regattas held twice every year A kajjik in Malta in 2011 with a luzzu in the background Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 Regatta variants 4 ReferencesHistory editThe kajjik developed in the 17th century from the caiques which accompanied galleys of the navy of the Order of Saint John The boats were usually used as fishing boats but some were also used to carry passengers 1 Variants of the kajjik included the kajjik tal kopp and the kajjik tal lampara The latter had a light source attached to the bow which allowed fishing at night 2 Another variant was the kajjik tal gangmu which had a low bow and a short forestem originally intended for fishing for seashells 1 This was also used to recover coal which had fallen to the seabed while being loaded onto ships in the Grand Harbour 2 nbsp The flat stern of a kajjik as opposed to the double ended hull of the luzzuFrom about 1920 inboard motors were installed on some kajjikki which were used for fishing Today the boats are no longer being built and they are on the decline However many examples still exist and remain in use as fishing boats particularly at St Paul s Bay and Marsaxlokk 1 Description editThe kajjik bears similarities to the dgħajsa tal pass but it is of stronger construction and it has a flat stern The boats were originally equipped with both oars and sails They would have a single mast rigged with a spritsail Today they are propelled by engines 1 Regatta variants edit nbsp A Kalkara kajjik at the regatta of 8 September 2008Variants of the kajjik are commonly used in the rowing regattas held in the Grand Harbour on 31 March and 8 September each year 3 They have been participating in the September regatta since 1822 Initially kajjikki tal kopp were used in the races but purpose built versions of the boats were introduced later 4 The kajjik used in the modern regatta has two oars and it is manned by a crew of two one standing and one seated 3 It is 4 11 metres 13 5 ft long has a beam of 1 42 metres 4 ft 8 in and a depth of 0 53 metres 1 ft 9 in 4 Variants of other traditional boats the dgħajsa and frejgatina also compete in the regatta 4 3 References edit a b c d Muscat Joseph 2005 Traditional Boats of Malta PDF Malta Archaeological Review 6 26 40 Archived from the original PDF on 5 April 2020 a b Muscat Joseph 2012 Id dgħajjes tradizzjonali Maltin it tieni taqsima PDF L Imnara in Maltese 10 1 Għaqda Maltija tal Folklor 15 20 Archived from the original PDF on 5 April 2020 a b c Cocks Paul 23 August 2016 Why don t the expert Maltese rowers compete in the Olympics Malta Today Archived from the original on 5 April 2020 a b c Serracino Joseph 9 September 2010 Boats used in Regatta SportinMalta com Archived from the original on 3 August 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kajjik amp oldid 1176936242, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
