by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: July 03, 2008   Last Updated: July 10, 2008

"La befana vien di notte, con le scarpe tutte rotte" is a popular Italian saying when New Year's is over, translated it means: "La Befana comes in the night, with her broken shoes".

La befana, an old white-haired and wrinkly skinned lady may look to Americans as a witch, but when she appears to the Italian children on January 6th, kids of all ages will cheer with joy, trilled at the sight of all the presents that came along following her brief night time visit.

Truth is, la befana will cater specifically only to good kids, leaving them plenty of candies and chocolates. Not been really good? Then likely she will leave bad children some crunchy charcoal to munch on in regret.

The candy or charcoal is left in empty socks that are left purposely out the evening prior. These socks are similar to the American version of stockings. Armed with a broom, very likely la befana will sweep your kitchen floor as she approaches to leave. Since she rides on her magic broomstick and descends from the chimney some traces of sooth are expected to be left around as she flies off.

Various legends have developed along the years to interpret the origin of such festivity.
Christian legend believes that the three kings stopped at her house asking for directions to find the Christ child. She had no clue but offered them shelter for the night. After ward, the three kings invited her to join them on their journey, but she refused because she was too busy keeping up with house work. Later though, she felt guilty for refusing so she went out to search for the three kings and the Christ child explaining why traditionally she roams from house to house on Epiphany day.

Another version explains that la Befana had a child who died. While grieving, child Christ was born and she thought he was her child and started searching him. Once found, she lavished him with presents and Jesus in exchange elected her the mother of all the Italian children.

If a child is impatient and wishes to wait la Befana all night, parents will likely tell them that if he/she waits for her to come out of the chimney she would get annoyed and will likely discipline them by giving them a harsh thump with her broomstick. This story has helped numerous parents work on some time to hide the candies and chocolates in the stockings while their child sleeps in bed.

When I was a child la Befana gave me a bitter sweet sensation. I was excited for all the sweets I looked forward to find in the stockings but as she left I felt the sourness of her leaving all the holidays behind. As a matter of fact, la Befana in Italy, often represents the passing of the older past year. Some European countries actually, burn a puppet of an old lady so to welcome the new year.

La Befana is still celebrated in Italy today. This tradition has survived the millions of years that have passed by and she is still welcomed by kids of all ages. Children that have not been very good will expect some charcoal. However, the charcoal is edible. Sweet charcoal is made of hard rock clumped sugar which is black colored very well resembling real charcoal.

If you are visiting Italy or planning to visit Italy during winter time, look for her on Epiphany day on January 6th for a memorable and tasty happy ending to the Christmas festivities.

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