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Partners At Home in Tuscany introduce us to La Befana day (Jan 6th) in Italy’s Tuscany. La Befana is a good witch-like lady who fills childrens’ stockings with either good or bad presents (depending on previous behaviour!) on January 6th, the past equivalent of Christmas day.
La befana vien di notte, by ho visto nina volare
At least one child (we won’t reveal which – see original article!) was known to walk on Jan 6th to grandparents, aunts’ and uncles’ houses, where stockings filled with delicious cookies and small presents were just waiting for collection!
On the flip side, La Befana day also represented an opportunity for some women to dress up like old witches (here some had an obvious edge, which was not otherwise useful during the rest of the year.) To add to their entertainment, they would knock on doors, summon the hapless kids and interrogate them as to their behavious through the past year, giving them a good fright in the process. I can’t figure out why such a wonderful tradition has lapsed – bring it back on I say!
In fact La Befana day may indeed be making a comeback, as it is increasingly celebrated everywhere in the Italy, especially in Tuscany, Le Marche, Umbria and Lazio. There are also celebrations in Rome’s Piazza Navone, which you could combine with a visit to the San Giovanni market. Also look out for the free viewings of Caravaggio!
The article also discusses the origin of the tradition and also today’s religious counterpart, epiphany.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Gloria - Casina di Rosa // Jan 6, 2010 at 2:26 am
You made me laugh! Actually, the funniest memory I have of those “incursions” was when I recognized my mum as one of the Befane, but instead of figuring out that it was not real I thought, “look at that! I’m the Befana’s daughter! I wonder if my dad is Santa Claus!!”.
My mum is still making fun of me for that! And rightly so, I’d say. But, hey, cut me some slack, I was only 3!!!
Thank you for posting this! Happy New Year,
Gloria
2 Karen Bryan // Jan 6, 2010 at 8:12 am
Glad I made you laugh Gloria, and many thanks for sharing this childhood memory with us!