Għana Spirtu Pront

Għana, (pron. aa-na) is the generic term for Maltese folksong. One of the styles is known as Spirtu Pront.

Spirtu Pront (quick wit, literally ‘ready spirit’) 

Spirtu pront is essentially an improvised song-duel between twogħannejja, each trying to best the other in argument. Generally, two song-duels are held simultaneously, the first singer matched against the third, the second against the fourth. Such an arrangement gives each singer more time to compose a response. Usually, the subject of the duel emerges early in the encounter itself, with the singers provoking their adversary.

Listen to Għana Spirtu Pront

Għana Spirtu Pront: il-Karrozzi. Għannejja: Mikiel Abela il-Bambinuand Ġużeppi Abela il-Fenka. Kitarristi: Indri Brincat il-Pupa, Salvu Spiteri tal-Keċwiel and Pawlu Formosa ta’ Karti. PBS Sound Archives, 1957