It used to be believed that it was the Order of St John that had introduced carnival festivities in Malta. Now we know that the people celebrated carnival at least well over a century earlier.

Public dancing, music, fancy dressing up, fireworks, fairs, comedy, tournaments, masks, all contributed to an interval of revelry to serve as a prelude to the penitential period of Lent. It was an interlude when strict social barriers tended to break down temporarily, when the rich mixed with the poor, the aristocracy with the plebs, urged by one common denominator - having fun.

A carnival float in 1934.A carnival float in 1934.

Over the years, the frivolities of carnival happened to coincide with some high-profile historical events, like when the young knights rioted violently in 1639 because the grand master had prohibited women in the Auberges during carnival. The hotheads blamed the influence of the Jesuits on the grand master.

One of the floats in the great 1901 Water Carnival.One of the floats in the great 1901 Water Carnival.

The Jesuits had to bear the brunt of that wrath and were forcefully bundled on to a vessel and expelled from Malta.

On another occasion, in 1822, the church of Ta’ Ġieżu in Valletta hosted an assembly of young boys to shield them from the lewdness of carnival. When food was served, there was a stampede in which 110 boys were crushed to death.

The earliest Malta carnival photograph known so far, dated 1895.The earliest Malta carnival photograph known so far, dated 1895.

A third example was in 1846 the Sabbatarian British governor prohibited carnival festivities on Sunday, provoking anti-British protests. Laudable patriotism, for a pointless cause.

Nineteenth-century photographs of carnival events seem to be extremely rare. These early images from my collection, cover a variety of subjects – political satire, advertising, costumes, triumphal floats, parades, ensemble dancing.

A carnival float from Marsa in 1938.A carnival float from Marsa in 1938.

Early 1930s carnival company, The Persians. Photo: Salvatore Lorenzo CassarEarly 1930s carnival company, The Persians. Photo: Salvatore Lorenzo Cassar

Carnival dancing in Main Guard Square in the 1930s.Carnival dancing in Main Guard Square in the 1930s.

A 1930s carnival float advertising Farsons beer.A 1930s carnival float advertising Farsons beer.

Sacred and profane. A pre-war carnival float passing in front of the church of St Francis, Strada Reale, Valletta.Sacred and profane. A pre-war carnival float passing in front of the church of St Francis, Strada Reale, Valletta.

The float of the carnival company Single & Double, 1930s. Photo by Salvatore Lorenzo CassarThe float of the carnival company Single & Double, 1930s. Photo by Salvatore Lorenzo Cassar

 

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