The unmistakable beat of military bands reverberated beyond the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qali this weekend where the eighth Malta Military Tattoo was held.

Spread over two nights, the foreign line-up included the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force Band and the First Cinque Ports Rifles Volunteer Corps of Drums from the UK, the Pipes and Drums of Jura and the Sierre Pipe Band, both from Switzerland, the Scotpipe Edinburgh from Scotland and the Representative Band of the Armed Forces of Poland.

Malta had a very strong presence with the massed Pipes and Drums Band, made up of the Pipes and Drums of San Ġwann, Marsa and Żurrieq, the ISC Gymnastics Team, the Malta Police Precision Drill Team, the Malta Police Band and the Armed Forces of Malta Band.

The original meaning of a military tattoo was a drum performance but now also covers general military and non-military displays. The event dates back to the 17th century when the British Army was fighting in Belgium and The Netherlands and drummers used to be sent out into the towns each evening to inform the soldiers it was time to return to barracks.

Over the years, the process became more of a show. Bands and displays were included and shows were often conducted under floodlights or searchlights.

Tattoos were commonplace in the late 1800s, with most military and garrison towns putting on some kind of show or entertainment during the summer months. Between World War I and II elaborate tattoos were held in many towns in the UK.