What’s new – 2023 December: Add a new stamp at the end.

“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.”

– Mason Cooley, American aphorist

Għonnella in Maltese or Faldetta in English is a traditional dress worn by the Maltese women. I first saw it on a Malta stamp that was issued during British period.

There are several legends to the origin of this traditional dress. It seems to have been widely wore by generations of Maltese women from 16th to 19th century especially when visiting churches. Foreigners who came to Malta were intrigued by this costume. It became one of the several things that represented Malta.

Faldetta is a full-length gown, with a large stiffened hood arching over the head. While the hood rested over the head, the dress must be held by hands at the sides.

It is quite surprising to know such a omni-present costume, which was a symbol of Malta culture and tradition, almost disappeared from general use by early 1970s.

Now and then it appears as a costume in the annual Maltese carnival.