Traditions

Traditions is what I'm talking about today. A girl had nice henna tattooed on her hand. I asked her why she had it on and she said she had done it for a celebration that her friend had. We didn't have time to talk more. Another tradition that I met was a boy with long her. I asked him if he could cut it when he is bored with it, he said yes when ever he wants to he can. As far as I know I can't remember any traditions but there was one when I was young I will tell you what I know about it. I remember a couple of women still wearing them. It was hard in church if you were behind them you couldn't see a thing.

The għonnella is pronounced "awe-nel-la" , sometimes referred to as  Faldetta, was a form of women's head dress and shawl, or hooded cloak, unique to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. It was generally made of cotton or silk, and usually black or some other dark colour, although from the sixteenth century onwards, noble women and women from wealthier households frequently wore white or brightly coloured għenienel plural for one. The għonnella covered the head,  but did not cover the face. The upper part of the għonnella was starched quite stiffly, and given a broad, rounded frame, formed by means of a board, cane, or whalebone. This gave the għonnella a mysterious but alluring, sail-like appearance. From a practical perspective, this broad bonnet captured much needed cooling breezes during the hot Maltese summer. On cooler days, the wearer could wrap the għonnella around her face more tightly, by making a slight adjustment. The lower part of the għonnella could be worn loosely draped around the wearer's bodice and hips, or more tightly wrapped in the case of inclement weather. It would typically fall to mid-calf length. While walking, the wearer would hold one or both sides of the għonnella clasped in her right hand.