Proposed title of the long essay
Voices and Places of galley slaves”:
Remembering places of galley slaves along Birgu’s Waterfront during 16th to
17th century.
Central Proposed Research Question
how did galley slaves shape the historical
narrative of Birgu’s maritime landscape?If our experience of places is
primarily visual, what might Birgu’s waterfront teach us about galley slaves,
that we have failed so far to include in our tours?
Subsidiary research questions
“What were the living
conditions, social roles, and contributions of galley slaves in Birgu during
the mentioned period of time?
Abstract of the proposed research
The Birgu waterfront was crucial for
maritime activities during the Order’s time, including commercial and military
operations. The galley slaves, often convicts, prisoners of war, or enslaved
individuals, were essential for military expeditions and commercial enterprises
operating the oars of galleys. Their presence was crucial in the maritime
operations of the era.
Historical buildings reminding us of the
glorious maritime past of Birgu still exist, but nothing is reminding us of the
contribution of the galley slaves who were part and parcel of this maritime
enterprise.
Thus, giving life to the objective of this
study: How did galley slaves shape the historical narrative of Birgu’s maritime
landscape? If our experience of places is primarily visual, what might Birgu’s
waterfront teach us about galley slaves, that we have failed so far to include
in our tours?
This research seeks to provide a
comprehensive understanding of the influence of galley slaves on the maritime
landscape of Birgu during the 16th Century and the 17th Century, by identifying
the historical places that have a direct or indirect relationship with these
individuals and, consequently their work and lives within this context.
The results of this research will be used
to create an eye-opener alternative tour of Birgu that will focus on a
long-ignored facet of the maritime city and its history.
The research draws on the works of local
and foreign historians including Cassar and Cassia( 2007), Muscat (2004)
Wettinger, G. (2002) , Palmer, R. (2021) and Giorgio Scala and the Moorish
Slaves The Inquisition Malta 1598 edited by Dionisius A. Agius, who wrote about
different aspects of slavery in Malta, including their roles and duties,
socio-economic conditions and treatment, cultural interactions, and their
contribution to maritime defense and trade.
Interestingly enough, even though several
historians have long recognized and valued the role of galley slaves in Malta,
there is no single source dedicated entirely to the influence of the Moorish
galley slaves on the maritime landscape of Birgu, by tracing their footsteps
and journey along the waterfront.
Through an analysis of duties
socio-economic conditions, and cultural interactions it becomes clear that the
presence of slaves played a pivotal yet often overlooked role in shaping the
maritime and social landscape of the region during the Hospitaller period.
While they were undoubtedly victims of a
cruel system their forced labour played a part in Malta’s naval achievements.
Economic and cultural development on the islands was to some extent shaped by
their involuntary contributions (Capp, 2022). It is crucial to recognize their
suffering today and to recognize their impact for a complete understanding of
Malta’s past (Wettinger, 2000).