The ċuqlajta is an instrument which on the Maltese Islands has very strong associations with Holy Week. Iċ-ċuqlajta encompasses a large number of different shapes and sizes of clappers and ratchets which produce their sound in different ways. Most are made totally of wood but a few are made of wood and metal or even out of Arundo donax reeds. One particular type of clapper has existed in Malta since Roman times and can still be seen in folk bands particularly in Gozo.

Hawn ħafna forom, tipi u daqsijiet ta' ċuqlajti li jintuzaw Malta u Għawdex. Il-biċċa l-kbira tagħhom ikunu magħmula mill-injam u jintużaw l-iżjed fil-Ġimgħa l-Kbira. Nafu żgur li hawn Malta fi żmien ir-Rumani kienet diġà tintuża forma ta' ċuqlajta li għadha tintuża sal-lum fil-mużika folkloristika. Insibuha magħmula minn biċċa injama twila u ċatta bil-manku u b'żewg biċċiet ta' l-injam iżgħar marbutin magħha bi spaga, waħda kull naħa.

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