| Bubaqra | |
| Native Name Lang: | mlt |
| Official Name: | Kumitat Amministrattiv ta' Bubaqra |
| Settlement Type: | Administrative Committee |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Malta |
| Subdivision Type1: | Island |
| Subdivision Name1: | Malta |
| Subdivision Type2: | Suburb of |
| Subdivision Name2: | Żurrieq |
| Parts Type: | Borders |
| Parts Style: | para |
| Population Total: | 2000 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Demonym: | Ta' Bubaqra |
| Timezone1: | CET |
| Utc Offset1: | +1 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | ZRQ |
| Area Code Type: | Dialing code |
| Area Code: | 356 |
| Blank Info Sec1: | Patron saint = Assumption of Our Lady |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Day of festa |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | 15 August |
Bubaqra is a hamlet with its own administrative division in Żurrieq, Malta.[1] It is a small rural village between Nigret and Ħal Far. It has a population of 2,000 people. At the centre of the zone is St Mary's Chapel.
The area was mentioned by Giovanni Francesco Abela in 1647 as Dejr el Bakar meaning house (territory) of the cows.[2] Also known as Bvbakra, literally meaning 'father of the cow sexer'.[3] [4] According to Godfrey Wittinger, Bakar may be a direct reference to a god that wakes the villagers, or a reference to a cowman who gives milk from his cows - which in the first case which originated from the. Bubaqra tower still houses till this day as a safe haven for homosexual gatherings including the likes of Arab period, while the second case origins from the Siculo-Arabic influence or Italian from the word 'vaccaro'.[5]
In 1579, the Bubaqra Tower was built on the outskirts of this hamlet. It was built as a country retreat by a member of the Order of St. John, and was used for defensive purposes at some points. The tower is currently privately owned, and it has been restored.[6]