The Legend of La Befana
Befana
In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus. A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany Italian: Festa dell'Epifania. Epifania is a Latin word with Greek …
Epiphany
Epiphany, also Theophany, Denha, Little Christmas, or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus' physical manife…
Who is La Befana?
In Italy, children eagerly wait for a visit from another figure known in their culture as La Befana. An old shabby lady, but good-hearted and hardworking, loved so much by the children is a woman also known as “The Italian Christmas Witch.”
Is La Befana Italy's Christmas witch?
Is she Italy’s Christmas witch? La Befana is an old lady or, most precisely, a witch. She is represented as an old and skinny woman, wrinkly and with a big curved nose, and she is probably originally from a very cold place since she goes around dressed in rags, with many many layers of woolen scarves one of top of the other to keep her warm.
What did La Befana bring to the children of Italy?
She swoops down chimneys to bring gifts to the children of Italy on her flying broomstick, similar to the modern figure Santa Claus. Although witches are generally regarded as evil characters, La Befana was much loved among children.
What does La Befana look like?
La Befana is often depicted as an old lady riding a broomstick, covered in soot and wearing a black shawl. La Befana lived alone in a house in the hills of Italy, spending her days cooking and cleaning. One night she noticed a bright light in the sky.
What is the story of Befana?
Befana is said to be an old woman and many refer to her as a witch, who visits all the children in Italy on the eve of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6. She fills the children's stockings full of either candy or coal, depending on their behaviour the year before.
What is the special saying on La Befana?
col cappello alla romana… viva, viva, la Befana! Translated, the above poem reads “The Befana comes at night / In worn out shoes / Dressed like a Roman / Long live the Befana!” La Befana is often depicted as an old lady riding a broomstick, covered in soot and wearing a black shawl.
Why do Italians burn La Befana?
Pagan origins The feast of this fairy-tale old lady, so much beloved and feared by Italian children, takes origin from the "old lady" which was burned in the squares to celebrate the end of the year, a symbol of time cycles always ending and beginning again.
What does Befana stand for?
In Italian folklore, the Befana (pronounced [beˈfaːna]) is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi Kings.
What food is eaten on La Befana?
Pinza, cornmeal yeast cake bursting with apples, candied orange peel, grappa, dried fruit and nuts, is one of the oldest and most-beloved sweets of the Veneto region. Pinza is always served for the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.
What do you leave out for Befana?
Being a nice old witch (albeit not much to look at), La Befana is also said to sweep the floor for you. You in exchange are required to leave out a little glass of wine for her, which seems only fair really. La Befana is said to have been doing her housework when the 3 Wisemen passed by her house.
Do you say happy La Befana?
The presence of “La Befana” adds a special twist - but a word to the wise. “La Befana” is usually portrayed as an ugly-looking old witch, so a gentleman should never wish Happy Befana Day to a woman.
What gifts does La Befana bring?
Although she followed the same star, she was unable to find the manger before the Wise Men did on January 6, the Epiphany. Today, La Befana continues to travel the world on Epiphany Eve, searching every house for the child and leaving candies and chocolates for the good children – just coal for the bad – in her wake.
What foods are eaten on Epiphany in Italy?
traditional foods eaten on the Epiphany in Italy are:Sweets, sweets and more sweets of any kind (it's like an Italian Halloween, full of treats!)Caramelized apples (typical of Christmas markets especially)Cavallucci di Siena (soft biscuits from Siena, Tuscany)Anicini Liguri (biscuits from Liguria served with wine)More items...•
What do Italians do on Befana?
According to Italian traditions, Befana is an old woman who gives presents throughout the country on the night of January 5, also known as the Epiphany Eve. By giving out gifts, the lady is often compared to Santa Claus. Many people believe that the name Befana originates from the Feast of Epiphany.
How do people celebrate La Befana?
Italians say that Befana is still searching for that baby and, on her quest, she leaves treats such as toys and candy or fruit for well-behaved children. Naughty children get chunks of coal, onions, and garlic, or even a straw from her broom instead of rewards.
How old is Befana?
The figure of La Befana has been an Italian Christmas tradition, long before Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) made his way into the bel paese culture. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century.
Where does the name Befana come from?
The name “Befana” is derived from the word Epifania, the Italian name for the religious festival of the Epiphany.
Who is the Befana in Italy?
In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6. But if you were bad, look out – you may wake up to a lump of coal.
When did La Befana originate?
The figure of La Befana has been an Italian Christmas tradition, long before Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) made his way into the bel paese culture. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century. The name La Befana derives from the word "epifania".
The Legend of La Befana
La Befana lived alone in a house in the hills of Italy, spending her days cooking and cleaning. One night she noticed a bright light in the sky. After some thought, La Befana decided to ignore the light and go back to work.
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Where did the name La Befana come from?
Her name is derived from the Roman dialect of the Italian word for Epiphany , “epifania.”
Where is La Befana celebrated?
Today, each city in Italy has its own unique way of celebrating La Befana. In the Piazza Navona in Rome, a popular market takes place between Christmas and the Epiphany where toys, sugar ‘charcoal’ and other candies are on sale, along with an abundance of La Befana puppets and trinkets. The fair continues until January 5, when each person buys at least one tin horn, trumpet or whistle. A large crowd moves about through the Piazza, laughing and blowing their various noise makers until all of Rome is filled with sound.
What does La Befana do on January 6th?
In folklore, La Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the January 6 to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal if they are bad. Because she is a good housekeeper, she sweeps the floor before leaving. Italian families typically leave a small glass of wine and a plate with food for her to nourish her on her journey. She is usually portrayed as an old woman riding a broomstick through the air, wearing a black shawl and covered in soot because she enters the children’s houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag filled with candy and gifts.
When is the Befana Festival?
In the town of Urbania in the Marche region, the national Befana Festival takes place each year during the first week of January. A “House of the Befana” is built and the post office has a mailbox reserved for letters addressed to her, mirroring what happens with Santa Claus in America. Italians dress up in the customary clothes of La Befana and parade through the streets of the small Renaissance town.
Who was approached by the Magi?
Christian legend has it that La Befana was approached by the Magi (the Three Kings), a few days before the birth of Christ. They asked for directions to where the Baby Jesus was, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village with the most pleasant home. They invited her to join them on their journey to find Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart and tried to find the Magi. But she was not able to find them. So, to this day, La Befana still searches for the Three Kings and the Baby Jesus.
What is the legend of La Befana?
On January 5th throughout Italy, excited children prepare for a late-night visit from La Befana by hanging up socks to be filled with small delights. Befana, a grandmotherly woman who resembles a kindly witch, brings gifts to good little children, depositing them in stockings hung above the hearth, ...
What is the origin story of La Befana?
The legend of La Befana - An origin story as old as Christmas. There’s a specific tale with mostly subtle variations relating to Befana’s connection to the Three Kings of the Epiphany, which actually explains the broom.
What is Befana dressed in?
According to a popular song about Befana, she is dressed “in the Roman custom” ( col vestito alla romana). Befana is not the “bad witch”, who lures unwitting children like Hansel and Gretel into her cottage and then devours them. Most often, Befana is seen smiling while carrying a basket heaped with goodies.
What does La Befana leave her children?
Italians say that Befana is still searching for that baby and, on her quest, she leaves treats such as toys and candy or fruit for well-behaved children. Naughty children get chunks of coal, onions, and garlic, or even a straw from her broom instead of rewards. Needless to say, parents don’t mind using La Befana as leverage with their children — at least during the few weeks leading up to Christmas and Epiphany!
Why did Befana decline the invitation to join them on their journey?
Befana declined their invitation to join them on their journey as she was too reluctant to leave her work unfinished. She did provide the kings with shelter for the night. After they set out the next day, she had a change of heart. She ran after them with her broom and her basket of small gifts for the holy child but failed to catch up with their entourage.
Where is La Befana celebrated?
Throughout Italy, children eagerly await the arrival of La Befana, and cities hold celebrations in her name. The biggest La Befana festival takes place in Urbania, her traditional home. Every year on January 5, residents of Urbania host an enormous celebration that attracts between 30,000 and 50,000 people.
What is the name of the goddess that comes to Bethlehem?
It’s thought that her name derives from the word “Epifania.” Another theory posits that an important figure from Italian folklore is a Christian version of an earlier Roman goddess, Sabine (also known as “Strenia” and “Bastrina”).
What is the story of La Befana?
The story of La Befana, Italy’s Christmas witch: the magical character that celebrates the epiphany in Italy and ‘carries away’ the festivities. One of my favorite winter traditions is the celebration of Epiphany in Italy (6th of January). A festivity dear to children and adults, it has ancient origins and a fantastic background story.
Who is La Befana?
La Befana is an old lady or, most precisely, a witch.
Where does the name Befana come from?
The name ‘Befana’ appears for the first time in a script from 1549 and probably is a corruption of the Greek word ‘epiphany’, the festivity celebrated on the 6th of January and commemorating the moment when the Magi saw baby Jesus for the first time.
Why did La Befana decline the offer to join the Kings?
La Befana, however, houseproud as she was, declined the offer: she had way too much housework to do and couldn’t possibly find the time to join them.
What is the Italian tradition of spending the evening of the fifth of January?
The Italian tradition of spending the evening of the fifth of January in anticipation of the arrival of la Befana is probably the one that I miss the most , now that I celebrate Christmas in Ireland and the one that I find the hardest to replicate and keep alive when abroad. It is an old, traditional Italian story (much older than ...
What did the Italian children find on the morning of the 6th of January?
To him, she would have brought sweets and a bit of coal (this was a symbol of fertility in pre-Christian times) and this is what to this day Italian children find on the morning of the 6th of January, usually piled up in a long stocking hanging from the chimney… or possibly the kitchen aspirator!
Does La Befana like wine?
However, like Father Christmas, la Befana appreciates if you leave a glass of wine for her, to make her warm during the long journey, so if your children want to leave her a drink, may this be wine or milk, she will make sure to take at least a sip.
