Leave your feedback
LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Video ID: 1056

Submitting Feedback

The Maltese Crib and Pasturi

Description

Many people buy their commercial figurines ready-made for their Maltese Christmas crib with little thought as to who and how they were made. When making a Christmas crib, the size and shape of the pasturi are actually the first consideration when thinking about the structure of the crib. So how are these made? 

The origin of the Maltese crib dates to the 17th century, but it successfully took off after World War II. From there on, the Christmas traditional crib became one of the main attractions on the island during the festive season. One can set up a traditional or a contemporary crib, whichever suits his/her fancy. You can even order a tailor-made crib which are constructed by heavily dedicated individuals. 

The materials used included conventional material such as papier-mache and gagazza (rustic stone) but also during today’s modern age, this has developed into using synthetic materials such as polystyrene. 

The pasturi are statuettes that set the scene in the Maltese Christmas crib. Figurines from different walks of life depict the country’s traditions. Typical Maltese cribs include l-għaġeb,  who is the happy man standing in complete awe in front of the grotto with his arms raised, thanking the heavens for the Christmas miracle. 

Another interesting pastur is the ix-xabbatur who is a curious character peeping into the cave to get the first look at Baby Jesus. Other characters including the sleeping figurine and the singing musicians playing the bagpipes and tambourine. Typical pasturi also include the nativity scene, angels, and shepherds. 

The Maltese crib, together with its pasturi, hold a very special place in Malta’s heart. In fact, some might even go as far as saying that, there is no Christmas without a crib in Malta.  

Places Nearby

The Duke of Edinburgh’s close ties to Malta
Valletta, Malta Dom Mintoff Royal Malta
The Duke of Edinburgh is certainly no stranger to Malta. Prince Philip, who mark...
A look back at the history of the Royal Malta Artillery
Grand Harbour Sir Maurice Dorman Battle of Malta
The Royal Malta Artillery was a unit of the British Army and was formed in 1889,...
Behind the scenes with the military in Malta
Luqa British Army in Malta
Malta was one of Britain’s most important military bases during the darkes...
When the shops came to you
shopping in malta
They sold everything from eggs and fish to ironmongery and second hand clothes. ...
Hunting in Malta in the 1970s
Mellieha spring hunting malta
Hunting has been a hugely controversial subject in Malta for decades. Back in th...
Malta pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill
Valletta, Malta churchill in malta churchill death
This archive footage shows how Malta mourned the death of Sir Winston Churchill....
Remembering a Maltese radio and TV legend
Charles Arrigo television malta
Charles Arrigo was one of Malta’s best-known broadcasters. His distinctive...
Valletta marks a very special anniversary
Valletta, Malta Archbishop Michael Gonzi valletta anniversary
This colour footage from the archives shows special events in Valletta in 1966 t...
Valletta prepares for Carnival in the 1950s
Valletta, Malta carnival in malta
Carnival in Malta falls right before Lent, usually at the end of February. The f...
A look inside Valletta’s most magnificent building
Valletta, Malta Governor's Palace
Valletta’s most magnificent building dominates the heart of our capital ci...
Maltese TV meets the wives of Apollo 13
Gloria Mizzi
‘Houston, we’ve had a problem’ is the now famous phrase radioe...
St John Paul II’s First Visit to Malta in 1990
The historic pastoral visit took place between May 25th and May 27th in the year...