Għana tal-Fatt - Traditional Storytelling Chant

Għana (pronounced 'aana',) is the general term for traditional folk singing from Malta. Although għana has several substyles, the most popular are għana spirtu pront, għana tal-fatt, and għana la Bormliża.

Għana tal-Fatt, literally meaning 'fact' or 'actually happened', refers to storytelling or narrative singing. This is sung by a solo għannej who throughout his performance, seeks to retain the attention of the listeners to the development of a story. This melancholic ballad style involves recounting a story about well known local identities, events or recent interesting or humorous, Maltese folktales and legends.

Born in 1971, Raymond was introduced to għana singing from a young age through his family, many of whom were għana dilettanti. From an early age, he was invited to family gatherings and encouraged to rhyme and sing in traditional settings. Over time, he honed his craft and eventually performed alongside għana giants such as Karmenu Bonnici "Il-Baħri" and Żaren ta' Vestru. He is best known for his ability to improvise rhymes, a skill known as spirtu pront, though he has always explored his own writings of verses and poetry.

Beyond improvisation, Raymond is also recognized for penning verses and composing fatti—narrative poems—based on the lives and events surrounding deceased friends and members of the community, preserving their stories through his art.

Għana

Raymond Laferla ‘Ir-Ruman’

Kitarristi

Karol Aquilina ‘ta' Nofsillejl’

George Aquilina ‘ta' Nofsillejl’