Għana (/ ˈɑːnə / AH-nə) is a type of traditional Maltese folk music. Għana has two literal meanings. The first is richness, wealth and prosperity; the second is associated with singing, verse, rhyme and even kantaliena, a type of singing with a slow rhythm. Għana can be broken up into formal and informal practices.

Dec 15, 2021 · Description: Għana is used to describe three related types of rhymed folksong in Malta. The most popular form is the ‘quick-wit’ għana, an improvised duel between one or two pairs of singers,...

Sep 9, 2021 · Ghana (pronounced ‘ana’) is used to describe three related types of rhymed folksong in Malta. The most popular form of ghana is the ‘quick-wit’ ghana, an improvised duel between one or two pairs of singers, focusing on rhymes, …

Għana, Malta’s quintessential music tradition, has passed down orally from one generation to the next for centuries. The UNESCO inscription in 2021 recognised Għana as a rhymed expression in Maltese, both a cappella and with Għana guitar music. Today, the authentic spirit of Għana can be experienced most vividly at a Serata Għana Spirtu Pront.

Watch Ghana Malti, a YouTube video featuring traditional Maltese folk music and culture.

Maltese folk songs

Slow, rhythmic and quasi-hypnotic, għana is traditional Maltese folk music made up of poetic verses and rhythmic guitar strums. Some stipulate that għana is a descendant of Spanish and Sicilian singing, while others attribute its origin to the Arab rule in Malta.

Għana is a performative art, transmitted trhough generations in Maltese archipelago, including sung poetry and music. The origin of għana is still unknown and, hence, subject to ongoing debate.

Dec 16, 2021 · Traditional folk singing, Għana, has a number of variations including Għana tal-fatt, Bormla għana and għana spirtu pront. The first, which translates to factual għana, is a long, narrative poem sung by a soloist, usually from memory, to record important local events in collective memory.

Feb 10, 2018 · Over and above this traditional folklore music known as “għana” Malta has also reflected period music reflecting different eras. The Maltese “għana” has different forms and probably knows its origins from Spanish tradition and its ties with nearby Sicily.