Duminku tal-Muxa and the Roman Tower
Duminku, known by the nickname tal-Muxa, had carried this name with him since he was about two years old. It is said that as a young child, he loved taking long walks through the valleys. From a very early age, he would tug on his father’s hand and say, “Missier, imxi! Immorru muxa fil-wied!” (Father, let’s go for a walk in the valley!)—mispronouncing mixja (walk) as muxa. The nickname stuck with him throughout his life, even into old age.
At that time, there was a Roman tower in the area—of which only a few stones and distant memories remain today. The tower was known as Torri ta’ Cieda. In those days, Malta often fell victim to raiders and corsairs who would plunder and steal anything they could find.
On one occasion, the authorities of the time asked Duminku tal-Muxa to serve as a local watchman to help guard the outskirts of l-Imsierah (what we now know as San Ġwann), to see if any corsairs approached the area. As part of his duty, Duminku was entrusted with the key to the tower. From its height, he was able to keep watch over the surrounding lands.
However, fate had a surprise in store for Duminku. One day, during his watch, he came face-to-face with Hasan Mustafa, a feared corsair from the southern seas. Though startled at first, Duminku…
(the story continues…)
Duminku and the Tower High
Based on a San Ġwann legend
Duminku walked the valley path,
Since he was small, he’d laugh and laugh.
“Let’s go for muxa!” he would say,
To his dad, to start the day.
The word was wrong, but oh so sweet,
With little shoes upon his feet.
“Muxa” meant a walk, you see—
That nickname stuck eternally!
Up on the hill, a tower stood,
Made of stone and solid wood.
They gave Duminku the big key,
“To guard the town, it’s you we need!”
He watched from high both night and day,
To keep the naughty thieves away.
But one dark night, he got a fright—
A pirate came into his sight!
Duminku stood up brave and strong,
He knew he had to right the wrong.
He warned the town, he rang the bell,
And saved the place we love so well.
So if you walk through San Ġwann’s way,
Remember him along your day.
A little boy with dreams so wide,
Who grew to guard the countryside!
