The Italian Tradition of La Befana
La Befana is a joyous character loved dearly by Italian children of all ages.
La Befana belongs to the Italian tradition of Christmas just like the Easter bunny does to the Christian Spring holiday. La Befana is an old woman dressed in long skirts and woolen shawls, often ugly with a wart on her nose, flying on a broomstick just like witches do, bringing gifts to the children the night before January 6th. The name Befana comes from Epifania, the day of the Three Holy Kings on January 6th. The tradition of La Befana is very old, dating to pre-Christian folklore with pagan beginnings, and is sometimes linked to the holiday of Giano e Strenia in classical Roman times, when gifts were also given.
The much beloved Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) and the practice of presenting children with their Christmas gifts on December 25th are relative newcomers to Italian Christmas tradition. Until the 60’s or even early 70’s many Italian households didn’t have a Christmas tree.
In earlier times as now, the Nativity scene was cherished as the focal point of the holiday, often including many other small figurines apart from the Holy Family. Many happy hours were spent creating a landscape with moss and a blue paper sky, building little houses out of wood and pebbles, and arranging tiny shepherds and their animals. On Christmas Day many of the children received useful presents like shoes and clothing from their parents. For that reason, La Befana was eagerly awaited, as she was the one who brought the toys! Children would hang their socks inside the chimney before going to sleep the night of January 5th, hoping La Befana would fill them to the brim with candies and sweets. A charming part of the tradition is a hard black sugary candy called carbone – charcoal – which La Befana leaves to children that have been naughty. Even in current times, carbone appears after Christmas on many store shelves.
All over Italy you will see women dressed as La Befana, as there are many town and village fairs celebrating her. What better place to see La Befana but in the eternal city of Rome? In the Piazza Navona the Festa della Befana is open from December 1st to January 7th, with merry-go-rounds and many festive stalls. On Jan.6th at 11 a.m. a colorful procession of people, dressed in traditional historical costumes, leaves Castel San Angelo to reach Piazza San Pietro. If you’re planning a holiday trip to the Eternal City, visit Rome Hotels for a great selection of hotels at discounted prices.
Combining La Befana with charity for children is a group called “La Scuola di Pace” the school of peace, Their program may be found at www.lascuoladipace.org
Keep your socks ready: we just never know, do we?