Żaqq

In the Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix, USA.

The Żaqq (with definite article iż-żaqq ) is the most common form of the Maltese bagpipe .

description

Similar to the bagpipes of North Africa (see Mezwed ), the Maltese Żaqq consists of a chanter with two parallel pipes ( qwiemi ) made of reed and attached to a wooden holder. Two single reeds are used ( bedbut ). Usually a horn made of cow horn ( qarn ) is attached to the end of the chanter . There are no drone whistles .

The airbag was traditionally made from dog fur , but also from goatskin and calfskin . According to ethnographic reports, skins from large male cats were also used.

The Żaqq has not been used in everyday life since the 1970s, but there are attempts by various folk ensembles to revive it.

There is also a smaller form of the Maltese bagpipe called qrajna (a diminutive of qarn : "horn").

Etymology and spelling

The instrument is sometimes mistakenly called "Zapp". This error goes back to an English-language publication from 1939.

The Maltese word żaqq means “sack” or “belly”. It comes from the Arabic زِقّ / ziqq  / 'hose (as a container)'. The derivation from Italian "zampogna", which is sometimes used, is incorrect.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Partridge, JK; Frank Jeal (1977): The Maltese Zaqq. The Galpin Society Journal 30: 112-144.

Web links

• Malta's Musical Legacy. Retrieved December 19, 2009 . 
• Maltese bagpipe. Retrieved December 19, 2009 . 
• Maltese bagpipe. Retrieved September 10, 2015 .