Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the world. Evidence gathered at Tarxien Temples has shown that Malta’s inhabitants had notable skills in weaving since prehistoric times, when plants such as palm leaves and strips of wood were used.

After the Arabs introduced the cotton plant on the islands and shared their weaving skills among locals, the popularity of this craft increased significantly, also for trading purposes.

The importance of weaving for the livelihood of the Maltese is reflected in Ġan Anton Vassallo’s 19th-century poem Tifħira lil Malta. Traditional Maltese costumes are also made of woven fabric. However, the craft went into  a steady decline in the 20th century.

“Due to the introduction of new lifestyles and consumption patterns, as result of progress and development, the local sheep wool industry, which in the past had economic, social and cultural value, saw a decline during the last century,” Alda Bugeja, one of the last few remaining weavers, said.

In a bid to revive the traditional craft, Ms Bugeja and a number of other dedicated weavers have put up an exhibition featuring various woven items such as carpets and blankets in the foyer of the Ministry for Education and Employment in Floriana.

Ms Bugeja believes that greater efforts need to be made to increase appreciation of this craft and complementary activities, such as wool spinning which, according to her, is experiencing a slow death.

“Very few ladies scattered around our villages still spin wool but there is no true resource that would guarantee the future of weaving through a good supply of this essential raw material,” she said, referring to the declining stocks of sheep and, therefore, wool.

She mentions other Mediterranean and northern European countries such as Sweden, which have managed to revive this industry through niche activities and urges the Maltese government to follow suit.

“Educational courses on weaving, for example, should be sustained in order to revive traditional trades. There should be increased awareness on aspects of our heritage and culture which distinguish us as a nation and we need to instil interest among the young generations,” she noted.

The exhibition runs until the end of the month.