Qu膵膵ija, Convivium, 呕erda : Maltese customs originating from religious Greek tradition

Abstract

The Modern Maltese definition of the noun qu膵膵ija, according to Aquilina鈥檚 Dictionary, is: "A ceremony consisting in the presentation of a basket containing grain, toys and other miscellaneous articles, to a child on the completion of its first year, in order to be able to foretell its future inclinations by the choice it may make." Although the lexicographer鈥檚 inclusion of 鈥済rain鈥� among the 鈥渕iscellaneous articles鈥� may have been only a convenient, apposite insertion to justify his etymology of the term from Sicilian cuccia 鈥� zuppa fatta di frumento bollito nell鈥檃cqua o nel latte con zucchero ed altri savori 鈥� citing Mortillaro鈥檚 Dizionario, it betrays the historical basis for the anachronistic 鈥済rain鈥� ingredient. [excerpt]