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Safi

Mayor

Johan Mula

Biography

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The village of Safi, or Ħal Safi, situated in the southern part of Malta, is the home to 2,200 inhabitants. The origin of its name is uncertain. Probably, it derived from the fresh, pure (safi) air that surrounds the village. Others insisted that the village was named Safi since none of its residents were contaminated when an epidemic disease (plague known as the Black Death) infected the whole country in 1676.

However, the name is much older than that: it is found in the Militia List of 1419-20. Modern researchers believe it originated in Norman times as the proper name of a feudal landlord: Casal Yusafi. A similar name existed in Sicily. Both its coat of arms (a horizontal light-blue stripe on a silver background) and its motto “Sine Macula” (without a blemish) emphasize the meaning of its name.

Thousands of years ago, the area which today hosts the village of Ħal Safi, was inhabited by Neolithic people; these were followed by the Phoenicians and the Romans. The birth of Safi village goes back to about seven hundred years. Farmers and peasants used to meet at a crossroad leading to some three or four neighbouring villages and stop for a chat on their way back home from work. It is commonly assumed that a niche was soon erected there, and as people started to settle in the vicinity, a new village began to take shape.

There is documented evidence which shows that Safi village already existed in 1417. According to the 1419 records of the Standing Army, between eighty and ninety people were considered as village residents. The origins of Ħal Safi go back to a rich farming heritage, where people depended mainly on agriculture and the breeding of goats and sheep for a living. Nowadays, farming has mostly become a hobby and a part-time pursuit.

For several years Ħal Safi formed part of Bir Miftuħ. However, the residents were not satisfied with this, mostly because of the distance between the two villages. Instead they wished to at least form part of Żurrieq, which was much nearer. In 1575 when Monsignor Dusina visited Ħal Safi, the residents put their wish forward but nothing came out of it.

At last, in 1592, Bishop Gargallo decided to separate Ħal Safi, Imqabba and Ħal Kirkop from Bir Miftuħ. He amalgamated the three villages into one Parish. Ħal Safi residents were still not satisfied because they had to walk long distances when visiting the church dedicated to Saint James at Ħal Kirkop for the celebration of sacraments such as Holy Communion and Funerals.

In 1598, a delegation of twelve men from Ħal Safi paid a visit to Bishop Gargallo. In the name of all Ħal Safi residents, they filed a petition requesting that the village of 210 residents become a Parish. This time the Bishop accepted their request and in 13 April 1598 Bishop T. Gargallo agreed to appoint Ħal Safi an independent parish.

This important date became significant for the Safi residents and in fact every year the Local Council organises many activities to commemorate this important event. When Safi Parish was formed, it was dedicated to the Apostle St. Paul, with a special emphasis being put on his conversion. The largest church in the village, dedicated to St. Paul, was chosen to serve as a Parish Church.

Every year, the Ħalsafin celebrate the feast of St. Paul. Up until 1959, the feast used to be held on January 25th, but in 1960, in order to avoid inclement weather, the feast was transferred to the last Sunday in August. Celebrations include religious services, band marches, fireworks, decorations, lights, and the procession with the statue of St. Paul.

Source: Local Council of Ħal Safi