The Maltese Rażżett was
typically occupied by three generations of a family – grandparents, parents and
children, who eked out a living via mixed farming. Families were typically large – 4 children
would be considered a small family, and since the Catholic Church forbade
contraception, families with 12 or more children were not uncommon. Unmarried
children would remain within the family home until they married, or for life if
they remained unmarried. If the farmer owned enough land then a son who was
marrying would build a farmhouse for himself at the other end of the property.
The
razzett was built within an enclosed courtyard and was built on two floors,
with the family living upstairs if the farmhouse was large enough (ie if the
family were wealthy enough). The farmer’s wife and daughters would tend a
variety of poultry – chickens, for eggs,
and possibly a duck or goose.
They would also likely have a herd of sheep and/or goats and the herd
size would depend on whether the farmer was primarily in to livestock or
planting.
If he were primarily a livestock farmer then one of
his sons would drive the herd round the village or city they serviced, once a
day, selling milk directly from the sheep into the jugs and mugs provided by
the purchasing housewives. A farmer who was wealthier than most might have a
few cows added to his herd, as well as a donkey or mule for transport and for
working a windmill. A very wealthy
farmer would have herds of over 20 animals.
The animals lived in the
lower part of the razzett, where they could be locked in of an evening, either
in the courtyard or within the house in winter. Farmers generally planted a
mixed crop – clover to feed their livestock, broad beans, carrots, potatoes,
onions, garlic etc as well as a variety of melons, and other fruits.