Perhaps one of the most unusual Christmas traditions in Malta is “ġulbiena”. A plant, known as a ‘light-deprived vetch’, or ‘ġulbiena’ (sometimes written as ‘ġurbiena’) is used as a crib or Christmas decoration.
According to an age-old Maltese tradition, vetch seeds, deprived of light for a specific period, are nurtured over a few weeks and carefully arranged near the statue of the infant Jesus in the manger. This practice serves the purpose of adorning the crib, enhancing the visual representation of the nativity scene.
Photo: Dilettanti tal-Agrikoltura, Siġar u PjantiOver time, Ġulbiena has evolved into a more versatile Christmas decoration, finding its place in both homes and churches across Malta during the festive season. The planting of vetch seeds typically commences between 25 November and 7 December, ensuring that they reach their optimal growth and appearance by Christmas day. You first have to soak them overnight and then grow them in cotton, soaking them often.The light-deprived vetches exhibit a distinctive white and stringy quality, making them not only suitable for crib adornment but also versatile for various craft projects. Creative uses include fashioning them into hair or a beard for toy figures, showcasing the adaptability of this traditional Maltese decoration.
The video below shows how to grow them:
There are several theories as to where the ġulbiena tradition came from. Perhaps it came from farmers who grew it as a decoration, because of its light and shape (it is often compared to an angel's hair due to its color and form).
The likeliest origin is the ancient Greek tradition of Garden of Adonis. In this tradition, seeds were planted, and roots would sprout. The adoption of this practice extended to areas in Italy and Sicily, presenting a conceivable explanation for the custom's transmission to Malta because of Malta being close to these places culturally.