Mikiel Cumbo l-Iżgej

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Mikiel Cumbo l-Iżgej, born in Żejtun on 25 December 1945, is currently Malta's leading folksinger of the high-pitched model, known as La Bormliża.

Mikiel Cumbo L-Iżgej


His father Ġużeppi was a well-known Żejtun stevedore, who used to transport all kinds of material, with his horse trap salt directly from the salt pans in Delimara and l-Imlieħaħ in Qawra, and later on with motorized vehicles laden with Gozo fruit and vegetable produce from the berthing points of the Gozo lateen sailing boats. Other than a stevedore, he was also entrusted to recruit gangs of coal-heavers to unload coal and charcoal from the Grand Harbour. This gave Ġużeppi a level of authority in his hometown, as a prospective employer during the years of high unemployment with young men, amongst them folksingers, emigrating in swarms to Australia.


Although relatively unknown in għana circles, Ġużeppi used to folk sing on improvised verse at Ġamri Darmanin l-Ingeriżu wine shop in Żejtun, were he was coaxed into singing by his cousin Żeppi Desira In-Najs. Mikiel Cumbo was being brought up in this environment.

Initial musical influence

Mikiel started singing at the age of seven, encouraged by Wiġi Spiteri l-Bolbol, a prim guitarist. Spiteri was given permission to take Mikiel with him to the main folksinging venues at the time, including Indri's and Lucy Casha's wine shops, both in Marsa and three outlets in Valletta, where għana used to be sung - Żeppi Bugeja Sdieri at Jew's Sally Port, known as Il-Fossa, Pawlu Abela Tal-Pitrolju in Theatre Street and Pullu Zammit's Karti in Due Balli.


These five venues are now all closed.



He has performed regularly in all the main events and frequently partecipates in lesser ones, including those held in Marsaxlokk in August and September 2012. He has also taken part, together with Żeppi Spagnol Il-Kelba, in a seminar about folksinging organized by Wirt iż-Żejtun and held in Luqa Briffa Gardens in July 2012. His son Vince organizes several folksinging events that other than exclusively featuring the foremost folksingers, also gives space to aspiring ones and new fledglings, including Nordai Desira.


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Mikiel Cumbo l-Iżgej singing in the high-pitched model, Marsaxlokk 2012

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External sites