Orslika, a trip down memory lane

In Birkirkara, Main Street, corner with Dyers Street, there was a shop called Orslika. It was in business since before World War II and until the recent past; a typical village shop established in the spacious lateral room of a residential home.

Every pastur is a museum piece

It sold haberdashery, stationery, toys and games, domestic glassware, sweets and all sorts of household necessities.

Twice a year, Orslika used to be converted into a children’s paradise. In summer by selling flying kites of every colour, size and shape; in winter, during the festive season, by selling clay pasturi (figurines), small papier mâché cribs and crib decorations.

In summer of pre- and post-World War II years of the last century, children and adults alike used to fly kites from the roof top of their homes, traffic-free streets, uncultivated land and open spaces.

From early evening until sunset, the cloudless blue skies used to be dotted with hundreds of kites flying gracefully and graciously.

Come November, on a couple of long, wooden shelves to the side of the shop window, there was a display of clay figurines representing the biblical protagonists of the story of the birth of Christ as well as a number of popular characters.

Until late in the 20th century, Birkirkara was rich in clay, found in abundance some distance away from under the bridge, above Reeds Street, where torrential rain waters flood Msida valley. Handmade pasturi were made from that rich clay.

Orslika’s pasturi were, by no means, works of art. They were a caricature of fine arts. However, children loved and adored these figurines because they embellished their cribs.

For Maltese children, a crib is always a joy. And for Birkirkara children of days gone by, Orslika’s pasturi were more precious than gold. Orslika, the kind old lady owner of the shop that bore her name, was affectionately known as Orslika tal-Pasturi which were made by her husband. The average size of a pastur was about nine centimetres and cost from two to four pence, depending on the year of buying.

In Orslika, pasturi for sale were exhibited in as many copies behind one another, according to their family. Mary, Joseph and Jesus belonged to the Holy Family and were prominently displayed in the first row of the window front.

The angels belonged to the heavenly family. Being God’s messengers and heralds of peace to men of good will, they were placed in the second row, next to the Holy Family.

The shepherds, sheep, cow and donkey belonged to the herdsmen family. They featured in the third row, very near the Holy Family, as if to keep warm the rural environment.

The three wise men, who came from the Orient, belonged to royalty. As they were not witnesses to Christ’s birth on the wintry holy night in a stable outside the town of Bethlehem, they were displayed somewhat at a distance.

Mary is kneeling in adoration with her hands crossed on her chest. She is wearing a light pink costume trimmed with a yellow hem. A white veil covers her head. Overall, she wears a light blue mantle. There is a thin wired halo around her head.

Joseph kneels on one knee with a stick in hand. His hair and beard are grey and he looks a bit old and tired. His garment is painted in light violet and the mantle is dark brown. There is also a thin wired halo around his head.

Being small and fragile, Baby Jesus is made of wax and not clay. His light brown hair is fully grown and wears a swaddling cloth.

Angels wore white or light pink long dresses trimmed with gold. Their wings are golden and their curly long hair light brown. There are flying , kneeling, singing angels and angels playing the concertina.

The cow is resting on all fours and looks timid and friendly. Its skin is dark brown with light shades. Its companion, the donkey, also rests on its four legs. It looks confused and its long ears are upright.

There are two shepherd pasturi but both are barefoot. One is tending the flock while the other is dozing the night away. Both are painted in the traditional peasant clothing: a pair of dark green trousers with a tucked-up leg, a white cotton flannel, a red homespun sash and a very dark brown hooded jacket.

Two of the three wise men have black skin. The third is white. One of the two black men and the white man are standing. They seem to be discussing the birth of a king. The other black wise man is kneeling on both knees. Beside him is a camel with two humps resting on its four legs. All three kings are dressed in royal robes. Within the folk family, a countrywoman is fetching water from a public well. She wears a short-sleeved, long dress painted light grey fastened at the waist with a red girdle. A white headscarf covers her head.

Then there are the folk singers and players. One beats the kettledrum; another plays the bagpipe; the third sings with a hand around his mouth to amplify the voice.

The climber (ix-xabbatur) is wearing dark red clothes with a blue girdle fastened at the waist. His head is covered with a blue cowl.

The sleeper (ir-rieqed) is a reclining pastur. His dark grey trousers, the off-white flannel, dark brown waistcoat, blue sash and red hood are typical peasants’ clothing.

The enchanted man (l-imgħaġġeb) is another character dressed in local peasant’s clothing. Only the colours are different. With raised open arms and a strange facial expression, he looks in awe at something afar.

Orslika shop is still there but has been closed for a number of years. The signboard is covered with a wooden board. Of course, every year, Christmas still comes and goes but the display and sale of clay pasturi is a thing of the past.

Orslika herself, the kind old lady who filled the hearts of a thousand children with joy and love for the traditional presepju with clay pasturi is also gone.