Watch: Traditional Ċuqlajta Set Up In Żejtun Church For Holy Week Functions
As Holy Week is coming to an end, Żejtun Church set up the traditional ċuqlajta which will be used in the functions.
During Holy Week, in particular from Maundy Thursday to Holy Saturday, a wooden instrument replaces the regular chimes of church bells.
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The wooden rachet-style instrument is also known as “ċuqlajqa” or “ċoklajta” depending which parish you form part of.
The history of the ċuqlajta goes back to the Middle Ages and its purpose was to replace the joyous sound of church bells with the sadder black of the wooden mechanism reflecting the solemnity of the Holy Week.
Have you ever heard the ċuqlajta being used?
Footage: Ġimgħa l-Kbira Żejtun
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