"Viva La Befana". Parallel the identities of La Befana and Santa Claus. [12] Here is one of the versions: La Befana vien di notte What are the names of Santa's 12 reindeers? The name La Befana derives from the word "epifania". It is a tradition that is still strong in Italy with many stores selling stockings, mostly red, but sometimes even sand-colored, for the children to leave out for “La Befana”. Italian anthropologists Claudia and Luigi Manciocco, in their book Una casa senza porte ("A House without Doors") trace Befana's origins back to Neolithic beliefs and practices. In many ways, the story of Befana reminds me of the biblical story of Mary and Martha (Lazarus' sisters). What is internal and external criticism of historical sources? What subject in what medium inspired the Alexander mosaic? IV. Come è stanca! Three places in Italy are nowadays associated with the Befana tradition:[citation needed]. This La Befana Italian Christmas Witch craft is the perfect activity to accompany your teaching of Holidays Around the World in Italy! All wrapped up T. Hope, in his 'Essay on Architecture,' says: 'The Saturnalia were continued in the Carnival, and the festival with offerings to the goddess Strenia was continued in that of the New Year…'[7]. Blunt says: This Befana appears to be heir at law of a certain heathen goddess called Strenia, who presided over the new-year's gifts, 'Strenae,' from which, indeed, she derived her name. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century. A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany (Italian: Festa dell'Epifania. a. Hundreds of Befanas are present, swinging from the main tower. In Italian folklore, 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 St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Befana. La Befana lived alone in a house in the hills of Italy, spending her days cooking and cleaning. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. One night, The Three Magi, on their way to find the Christ child, stopped to ask for directions to Bethlehem and for food and shelter. "Taking Flight with Italy’s Holiday Witch." This typically consists of a first course of pasta in broth, followed by eel or, in more recent times, roast turkey. We could hardly expect that the pagans who embraced Christianity could altogether abandon their former creeds and customs. There are poems about Befana, which are known in slightly different versions throughout Italy. 15 Dec, 2009.<, http://www.transparent.com/italian/tag/la-befana/, http://qcpages.qc.edu/calandra/community/commbefa.html/, http://www.i-italy.org/16375/befana-comes-night, http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,596060,00.html, The story of the befana and letters and pictures by children, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Befana&oldid=1007199677, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Italian-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2010, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2019, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from December 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2014, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, The Italian-language Christmas fantasy comedy film, This page was last edited on 16 February 2021, at 23:22. Many people believe that the name Befana is derived from the Italians' mispronunciation of the Greek word epifania or epiphaneia (Greek, επιφάνεια = appearance, surface, English: epiphany). For several years our friend Lars has given splendid dinner parties to celebrate La Befana. [14] As everyone knows, in Italian folklore, La Befana brings presents to the good children on the morning of Epiphany, January 6. Christmas day and Christmas Eve (Vigilia di Natale) are observed in different ways all over the country, depending on where you are. The Befana with her scary appearance of an old witch stands symbol for that: the old year that leaves gifts to the new one, the older generations making room for the new ones, the children. The team of anthropologists also wrote about Befana as a figure that evolved into a goddess associated with fertility and agriculture. After indulging in Cenone della Vigilia, Italians still make room for Christmas lunch. How do I keep animals from eating my figs? Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus. Beside this, what is the legend of La Befana? With Epiphany coming up on January 6, we've already read The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola several times in our home. Dei, lib. Pandoro is a Christmas cake that originated in Verona. In England, they call Santa: Father Christmas. 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. In the book Domestic Life in Palestine, by Mary E. Rogers (Poe & Hitchcock, 1865) the author notes: But an 'Essay on the Fine Arts,' by E. L. Tarbuck, led me to believe that this custom is a relic of pagan worship, and that the word "Bastrina" refers to the offerings which used to be made to the goddess Strenia. Befana also maintains many similarities with Perchta and her Pre-Christian Alpine traditions. Children of today know Befana as an old woman who flies a broom and wears a black shawl over a dress dirty with soot from the chimneys she climbs down to deliver her gifts. Befana is portrayed as a hooded old hag, similar to the type of witches we see during Halloween, covered in soot (she enters homes through the chimney) and rides a broom. Urbania is thought to be her official home. The legend is that the Magi stopped along their long journey, knocking on the door of an old woman to ask directions to Bethlehem and to … i. c.13, de Dea Strenia, p. 120, "The Befana Comes by Night…" Alice Bonvincini Italian American Digital Project n.d. 2 Jan, 2011. One night she noticed a bright light in the sky. In the regions of the Marches, Umbria and Latium, her figure is associated with the Papal States, where the Epiphany held the most importance. [4] Her presents were of the same description as those of the Befana—figs, dates, and honey. But if you were bad, look out – you may wake up to a lump of coal. La Befana n.d. 13 Dec, 2009. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. The old lady character should then represent the "old year" just passed, ready to be burned in order to give place to the new one. Beside above, is La Befana a witch? In Italy, La Befana is one of the best-known characters and a favorite of children. Befana was a widespread tradition among the whole Italian people, having originated in Rome and having become well known and practiced by the rest of the population during the centuries. Nevertheless, people really love the Befana here. Feeling guilty, she eventually decides to find Jesus on her own by following a bright light in the sky which she believes points the way. She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village, with the most pleasant home. Once, long ago, we took fire from a trunk that burned on Christmas Eve to start the bonfire. La Befana, which coincides with the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, is an annual public holiday across Italy. • La freccia azzurra, 1996 animated film, released in the US as How the Toys Saved Christmas. Historian Carlo Ginzburg relates her to Nicnevin. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. In other parts of the world where a vibrant Italian community exists, traditions involving Befana may be observed and shared or celebrated with the wider community. [8] Moreover her solemnities were vigorously opposed by the early Christians on account of their noisy, riotous, and licentious character".[9]. Many cities and towns in Italy organize festivities and parades to celebrate Epiphany on January 6. la circonda Women, men, and children dressed in La Befana costume and nose sing love songs to serenade the sun to beckon its return. © AskingLot.com LTD 2021 All Rights Reserved. She comes from the mountains in the deep of the night One day three travelers stopped by. "[2][3] Some suggest that Befana is descended from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia. See more ideas about christmas in italy, italian christmas, holidays around the world. Transparent Language 6 Jan, 2009. This aspect of the tradition may be designed to keep children in their beds. A Christmas tale from Italian Folklore retold by La La Befana was an old woman who lived in a small village in Italy. In many poorer parts of Italy and in particular rural Sicily, a stick in a stocking was placed instead of coal. The name La Befana derives from the word "epifania". However, Befana turned them away because she was too busy cleaning. Look how tired she is! Vien dai monti a notte fonda 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. She brings along a bag filled with baked goods and gifts for Jesus, and a broom to help the new mother clean. The singing hags gather in the street to give candy to children, to cackle and screech to accordion music, and to sing in every key imaginable as delighted parade participants join in the cacophony. Here comes, here comes the Befana! Tradition has it that La Befana, an old woman of modest means, lived in a shack at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. Epiphany is the religious observation following Christmas of the arrival of the Three Magi to present their precious gifts to the Baby Jesus. lib. A theory connects the tradition of exchanging gifts to an ancient Roman festivity in honour of Ianus and Strenia (in Italian a Christmas gift used to be called strenna), celebrated at the beginning of the year, when Romans used to give each other presents. [5] In this telling, Befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping. In snow and frost and the north wind! I remember, as a child, that the night of the 5th of January, when the Befana was expected to come to my home on her broomstick, I was happy but scared at the same time. We sing songs to invoke good luck for food in the New Year and eat Pinza. c. 16. Traditionally it's La Befana who brings gifts and candy (or lumps of coal) to put in children's stockings, not on Christmas but on the eve of Epiphany. Popular tradition tells that if one sees La Befana one will receive a thump from her broomstick, as she doesn't wish to be seen. Neve e gelo e tramontana! The Befana comes by night According to this telling, Befana is still searching after all these centuries for the new born messiah. [citation needed][clarification needed], The Befana is celebrated throughout all of Italy,[10] and has become a national icon. Although she has been unsuccessful in her search, she still leaves gifts for good young children because the Christ Child can be found in all children.[6]. In Italian folklore, 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 St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. Who is la Befana, the Italian Christmas witch? [4], In popular folklore, Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good, or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. <, "Italian Christmas tradition of "La Befana".". Spiegel Online 12 Dec, 2008. Although there were no traditional dishes to celebrate this day, people would gather together and eat chestnuts, nuts and fruit pancakes. Others point to the name being a derivative of Bastrina, the gifts associated with the goddess Strina. la Befana Christmas Ornament, Clothespin Ornament, Christmas Witch, Italian Santa, Italian Folk Tale, Ornament Exchange, Peg Doll ModerationCorner 5 out of 5 stars (3,660) $ 18.25. In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6. Viva, Viva La Befana! But, in fact, I see her as a gentle, kind senior citizen, who in younger years was a real looker. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century. Do you need tickets for Barcelona Cathedral? The witch has her roots in the pre-Christian pagan tradition, from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia. Rough Translation. Con le scarpe tutte rotte She leaves all the good children toys and candy ("caramelle") or fruit, while the bad children get coal ("carbone"), onions or garlic.[3]. She is portrayed like an old ugly woman, dressed in dark rags who during the night between 5th and 6th January flies over the houses riding her broom and entering through the chimneys (in modern apartments through a keyhole). That’s La Befana, a broom-flying, ugly witch about two weeks after Christmas on Epiphany to deliver gifts to the good, and ash to the bad. Sometimes, the Befanas dance with parade goers and dust down the willing as parade goers walk by. In Toronto, Canada for example, a Befana Choir shows up on Winter Solstice each December to sing in the Kensington Market Festival of Lights parade. The children will leave out their stockings, and even their shoes, hoping to awake on the morning of January 6th to some “caramele”. [1], A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany (Italian: Festa dell'Epifania). Some Christians believe that the Three Wise Men who gifted baby Jesus in the bible approached the Befana Epiphany (/?ˈp?f?ni/ i-PIF-?-nee) is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation (theophany) of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. Christmas in Italy is celebrated over several weeks as Italians celebrate from early December, depending on the region, until the day of Epiphany, on the 6th of January. For dessert, sweet breads are typically served, such as panettone and pandoro. La Befana is the Italian Christmas witch who delivers presents to children on January 6th as she searches for baby Jesus. She eventually met Jesus and presented him with gifts to make him happy. In The Legend Of Old Befana we meet an old woman who is constantly sweeping. Some Italians start celebrating with a nice dinner on December 24th, while others prefer a light meal — preferably without meat — and wait for a huge Christmas lunch, the day after. The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated January 6 with a national holiday in Italy, and the tradition of La Befana are a big part of Italian Christmas celebrations. Dempster. In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman (in some regions, a friendly "witch") who visits children on the night before Epiphany, leaving candy and/or small gifts. iv. Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. [citation needed], Christian legend had it that Befana was approached by the biblical magi, also known as the Three Wise Men (or the three kings) a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. Epifania is a Latin word with Greek origins meaning "manifestation (of the divinity). Viene, viene la Befana. Every year there is a big festival held to celebrate the holiday. On the eve of the Epiphany, Befana comes to every house where there is a child and leaves a gift. Unfortunately despite her best efforts she never finds him. Jan 5, 2020 - Explore The Teaching Resource Resort's board "Befana", followed by 5909 people on Pinterest. 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