# Kajjik > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kajjik > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kajjik.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajjik > Source revision: 1176936242 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Traditional fishing boat}} [[File:Luzzu - Maltese style boats.jpg|thumb|300px|A ''kajjik'' in Malta in 2011, with a ''[luzzu](/source/luzzu)'' in the background]] The '''''kajjik''''' or '''''kajjikk''''' is a [traditional fishing boat](/source/traditional_fishing_boat) from [Malta](/source/Malta). It developed in the 17th century from [caïque](/source/ca%C3%AFque)s which were used elsewhere in the Mediterranean. In the past, ''kajjikki'' were equipped with sails and oars, but today the fishing boats are powered by inboard motors. Variants of the boat participate in the [rowing regattas](/source/Maltese_National_Regatta) held twice every year. ==History== The ''kajjik'' developed in the 17th century from the [caïque](/source/ca%C3%AFque)s which accompanied [galley](/source/galley)s of the [navy of the Order of Saint John](/source/navy_of_the_Order_of_Saint_John). The boats were usually used as fishing boats, but some were also used to carry passengers.{{cite journal |last1=Muscat |first1=Joseph |title=Traditional Boats of Malta |journal=Malta Archaeological Review |date=2005 |issue=6 |pages=26–40 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/49645/1/Traditional%20Boats%20of%20Malta.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405093026/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/49645/1/Traditional%20Boats%20of%20Malta.pdf |archivedate=5 April 2020}} Variants of the ''kajjik'' included the ''kajjik tal-kopp'' and the ''kajjik tal-lampara''. The latter had a light source attached to the bow which allowed fishing at night. Another variant was the ''kajjik tal-gangmu'', which had a low bow and a short forestem originally intended for fishing for seashells. This was also used to recover coal which had fallen to the seabed while being loaded onto ships in the [Grand Harbour](/source/Grand_Harbour).{{cite journal |last1=Muscat |first1=Joseph |title=Id-dgħajjes tradizzjonali Maltin: it-tieni taqsima |journal=L-Imnara |date=2012 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=15–20 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/39249/1/Id-dghajjes%20tradizzjonali%20Maltin.pdf |publisher=Għaqda Maltija tal-Folklor |language=Maltese |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405172539/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/39249/1/Id-dghajjes%20tradizzjonali%20Maltin.pdf |archivedate=5 April 2020}} thumb|The flat stern of a ''kajjik'' as opposed to the double-ended hull of the ''luzzu'' From about 1920, [inboard motor](/source/inboard_motor)s were installed on some ''kajjikki'' which were used for fishing. Today, the boats are no longer being built and they are on the decline. However, many examples still exist and remain in use as fishing boats, particularly at [St. Paul's Bay](/source/St._Paul's_Bay) and [Marsaxlokk](/source/Marsaxlokk). ==Description== The ''kajjik'' bears similarities to the ''[dgħajsa tal-pass](/source/Dg%C4%A7ajsa)'', but it is of stronger construction and it has a flat [stern](/source/stern). The boats were originally equipped with both oars and sails. They would have a single mast rigged with a [spritsail](/source/spritsail). Today they are propelled by engines. ==Regatta variants== [[File:MALTESE TRADITIONS - REGATTA (2840155897).jpg|thumb|A [Kalkara](/source/Kalkara) ''kajjik'' at the regatta of 8 September 2008]] Variants of the ''kajjik'' are commonly used in the [rowing regattas](/source/Maltese_National_Regatta) held in the Grand Harbour on [31 March](/source/Freedom_Day_(Malta)) and [8 September](/source/Victory_Day_(Malta)) each year.{{cite news |last1=Cocks |first1=Paul |title=Why don't the expert Maltese rowers compete in the Olympics? |url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/sports/olympics/68781/why_dont_the_expert_maltese_rowers_compete_in_the_olympics#.Xon3xogzY2w |work=[Malta Today](/source/Malta_Today) |date=23 August 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405152528/https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/sports/olympics/68781/why_dont_the_expert_maltese_rowers_compete_in_the_olympics |archivedate=5 April 2020}} They have been participating in the September regatta since 1822. Initially, ''kajjikki tal-kopp'' were used in the races, but purpose-built versions of the boats were introduced later. The ''kajjik'' used in the modern regatta has two oars, and it is manned by a crew of two, one standing and one seated. It is {{convert|4.11|m}} long, has a beam of {{convert|1.42|m}} and a depth of {{convert|0.53|m}}. Variants of other traditional boats, the ''dgħajsa'' and ''[frejgatina](/source/frejgatina)'', also compete in the regatta.{{cite web |last1=Serracino |first1=Joseph |title=Boats used in Regatta |url=http://www.sportinmalta.com/boats-used-in-regatta/ |website=SportinMalta.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803140551/http://www.sportinmalta.com/boats-used-in-regatta/ |archivedate=3 August 2017 |date=9 September 2010}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{fishing vessel topics}} {{Oared racing boats}} Category:Rowing boats Category:Types of fishing vessels Category:Culture of Malta Category:Maritime history of Malta --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kajjik](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajjik) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajjik?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.