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In Italy, Epiphany morning is a magical morning where the world is divided into two types of children: those who have been good and those who have been bad.
The Befana represents the feast of Epiphany, which is celebrated throughout Italy on January 6. It is a heartfelt folk tradition where children (but also adults) are wont to receive a stocking filled with sweets-or coal-if one has been less than good. The stocking is placed on the chimney or on the doorstep the night before January 6, and the Befana, who travels through the night on her magic broomstick, swoops in and leaves her gifts.
The Befana stockings are either modular by purchasing the yummy products such as kinder products, chocolate, kinder cards, – or they can be sold already complete.
Epiphany is celebrated immediately after Christmas and New Year’s Day and signifies the end of the Christmas vacations, which is why it is usually said that “Epiphany all holidays take away.” Actually, from a religious point of view, with Epiphany we commemorate the twelfth day since Christmas, when the three Wise Men honored baby Jesus with their gifts. That is why the Befana, like Santa Claus, also brings gifts. Particularly, in the South, often the Befana in addition to bringing culinary gifts (thus sweets), may bring toys.
The name Befana is derived from the word Epifania, the Italian name for the religious holiday. The Befana is described in the common imagination as a long-nosed witch who rides a broomstick during the night and often wears a black shawl and quite scruffy clothes. According to one legend, the three Wise Men stopped at the Befana’s house to ask for directions on their way to Bethlehem, and that is where the tradition of gifts originated.
In different Italian cities, Epiphany is celebrated slightly differently. For example, the characteristic Regatta of the Befana takes place in Venice. Fifty men and women dressed as a befana compete by rowing in the Grand Canal, and the winner is the man or woman who first crosses the finish line in the shape of a stocking. In Verona (as is the case in Cologne for Carnival) the Brucia la Vecia is held at 6 p.m. in Piazza Bra, where a huge puppet made of wood and rags is burned.
In Rome, a costume parade is organized from Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s Square with music, merry-go-rounds and candy stalls. In Naples, similarly, a long parade is organized on the Caracciolo waterfront with floats and characters in disguise and sweets are distributed to children.
There are many versions of nursery rhymes inspired by this friendly witch. The two most famous are as follows:
La Befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte con le toppe alla sottana: Viva, viva la Befana!
La Befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte, il vestito trulla là , la Befana: “Eccomi quà !!!”
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