La Befana
Explore la bellezza of Italy.
In Italian folklore, la Befana is a grandmotherly woman who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6th.
In Italy, the Epiphany marks the official end of the Christmas season, commemorating the day when the three wise men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for baby Jesus.
According to the Italian legend, la Befana declined to join the wise men on their journey to see the baby Jesus. When she regrets her decision, she sets out to bring gifts to the child but never finds him. Instead, she leaves gifts for other children.
Throughout Italy, on the eve of la Befana, children leave out their shoes or put up stockings for the Befana, to fill them with treats and small gifts. La Befana rides on a broom delivering treats to each household. Well-behaved children find colourful candies in their stockings, while the misbehaved ones find coal. But not to worry, it’s “candy coal” (edible and sweet!).
January 6th is a national holiday in Italy. La Befana is celebrated across Italy, with street markets, parties and games for children. Many towns and villages have processions ending with a living nativity scene, where costumed people act out the parts of the nativity. Women and men also dress up as la Befana giving candies to the children.
