Hello All, 

I am new to the list and new, but very interested in, the whole subject. 

I wonder if anyone knows of any work that has been done on Maltese Folk
Music, called Ghana. This is the wikipedia entry:

'Għana is the term given to a specific type of traditional Maltese folk
music. The word ‘għana’ (pronounced: aa-na; the ‘għ’ in Maltese language has
the effect of lengthening and pharyngealizing associated vowels ) can have
two literal meanings, the first meaning richness, wealth and prosperity. The
second is associated with singing, verse, rhyme and even kantaliena, a type
of moaning, or singing with a slow rhythm. Għana can be broken up into
formal and informal practices'.

In particular,  'Spirtu Pront' sessions, 'two or more għannejja (singers)
are paired together and take part in an improvised song duel that
demonstrates their knowledge of a wide range of social topics as well as
their command of the Maltese language. Sessions always take around an hour
in duration, and there may be number of sessions that make up a whole
performance. The għannejja are the living poets of the Maltese language,
singing in a highly expressive, free flowing style. Their improvised melodic
lines borrow heavily from Arabic influenced scales. Although improvisation
is definitely an element, it is never the focus'.(Wikipedia)

I beleive this type of Music is still sung in Malta and wondered if it can
be compared to any other ethnic folk music and, if so, during what era.

Many Thanks

Frances Zammit