Befana

In Italian folklore, Befana is an older woman—often portrayed as a kindly witch—who visits children on the night before the Feast of the Epiphany and gives candy to those who have been good. If a child has not been good, Befana brings a lump of coal, ashes, or, on some occasions, garlic and onions. According to legend, Befana encountered the Three Wise Men on their way to visit the infant Jesus. The Wise Men asked Befana to come with them to find the child, but she was too busy. She later regretted her decision and set off to find Jesus so she could bring him gifts that she had made for him. However, she was unable to find the baby, so she set off on a quest to bring candy and sweets to all the children of the world in hopes of finding the true Christ child.

Background

In many cultures around the world, gift-giving is a traditional practice that has been incorporated into a diverse number of celebrations and holidays. Perhaps the best-known occasion for gift-giving is during the traditional December holidays, especially Christmas and Hanukkah. While the jolly old figure of Santa Claus is the most recognizable gift-giver around the world, he is not the only one. In some cultures, other traditional figures also deliver gifts during the holiday season. Most of these also follow Santa’s example and target good boys and girls with their holiday gifts.

In Icelandic folklore, children are visited by the thirteen Yule Lads in the days before Christmas. Each night, one of the Lads sneaks into children’s homes and leaves them a present if they have been good. If a child has not been good, the Lads may leave them a pile of rotten potatoes. Each of the Lads has a unique, mischievous personality that may include pranks such as licking all the spoons in the house or stealing candles.

In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and surrounding countries, the Christkind, or “Christ Child,” delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The Christkind is an angel-like young boy with golden hair and wings. He arrives unseen during the night and leaves presents for all good children. Unlike other gift-giving figures, The Christkind does not punish bad children but will not bring presents to anyone who tries to catch a glimpse of him.

Overview

According to Christian tradition, the infant Jesus was visited by Three Wise Men, or Magi, soon after his birth. These wise men were supposedly scholars from the East who wanted to worship the newborn Jesus by bringing him gifts. The Feast of the Epiphany, which is held twelve days after Christmas on January 6, commemorates the arrival of the Magi at the home of Jesus.

The legend of Befana states that as the Magi were traveling to find the infant Jesus, they came across the cottage of an older woman. They stopped, asked her for directions, and then asked her to accompany them on the journey. Being too busy cleaning her cottage, the cranky older woman declined their invitation, and the Magi set off on their own. The next day, Befana had a change of heart and brought a small basket of gifts for the baby Jesus as she flew off after the Magi on her broomstick. However, she was never able to catch up with them or find the home of the newborn Christ. To this day, she travels the world on the eve of the Epiphany, giving out sweets and candy to good children. She hopes that by doing so, she will eventually find the home and the infant Jesus and deliver her gifts to him.

Befana is portrayed as an older woman dressed in rags or a soot-covered shawl who rides her broomstick through the night sky. She enters homes through the chimney or the keyhole if a house does not have a chimney and leaves behind cookies, candy, or sweets for good children. Bad children can get coal, a stick, or onions and garlic. In return, children and their families leave out cookies and wine for Befana. Before she leaves each home, Befana is said to sweep up after herself.

The name Befana was first used in late medieval Italy, sometime in the sixteenth century. Some scholars believe it may have evolved from the Italian word for “epiphany”—epifania. Another theory holds that the idea of Befana may have originated from the ancient Roman goddess Strenia, who was seen as the goddess of the new year. The goddess was said to fly over the lifeless fields after the Winter solstice, thereby guaranteeing fertility come planting season. Offerings made to Strenia were known as Bastrina, which may have also influenced her name.

Although Befana’s origins may lie in ancient times, the celebration of her as the “good Christmas witch” only became popular in the early twentieth century. Today, she is celebrated across Italy on January 5 with a wide range of traditions. For example, in Florence, a parade honoring Befana makes its way through the city’s main square as someone dressed like the witch tosses candy to all the children in Piazza Della Signoria. In Venice, contestants in Befana costumes compete in an annual boat race. In Rome, a special Befana marketplace sells candy and witch dolls.

The largest celebration of Befana takes place in the northern town of Urbania, which, according to tradition, is her hometown. In 2016, the town even opened a "Casa della Befana" (House of Befana), which remains open year-round. Every year, between thirty and fifty thousand people participate in a street celebration with dancers, jugglers, and singers. In addition, people dress like Befana and wander through the festival crowds, handing out candy and sweets to children. The four-day festival also includes a "Grand National Meeting of all Befane and Befani." 

Bibliography

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