Changing tines: women, lace, and economy in modern-day Gozo

Abstract

Gozo, the second largest of Malta’s three islands, is relatively unknown on the world stage. Where it is known, it is sensationalized for a few of its treasures, one being lace. The knowledge of laceas women’s work is widely and tacitly understood by Gozitans today. Thus, the connection made between lace’s status and women’s place is not much of a leap, making the culture of lace-making an optimal screen through which to study changing female identities and self-identities. Compounding this change are the divisive influences of outside forces such as globalization, capitalism, recent induction into the EU, and emerging public controversies about gender roles and rights . In looking at both individual and collective experiences, women’s shifting priorities and perceptions of their place in society highlight a conspicuous change in the relationship between women and economy. This change can be seen not only on larger scales like women’s involvement in the tourist sector, but on smaller scales, like speaking with those few elder women who continue to make lace and the even fewer young women who are attempting to revitalize the tradition.