Befana facts for kids
The Befana is a kind old woman from Italian folklore. She brings gifts to children all over Italy on the night of January 5th, which is Epiphany Eve. She's a bit like Santa Claus or the Three Wise Men who bring presents.
Many people believe her name comes from the Italian word for Epiphany, which is Festa dell'Epifania. According to popular stories, Befana visits every child in Italy. If they've been good, she fills their socks with candy and gifts. If they've been a bit naughty, they might get a lump of coal (or dark candy that looks like coal!). In some poorer parts of Italy, especially in Sicily, children might find a stick in their stocking instead of coal.
Befana is also known for being a very good housekeeper. Many stories say she sweeps the floor before she leaves a house. Some people believe this sweeping helps to clear away all the problems from the past year. Families often leave a small glass of wine and some local food for Befana to enjoy during her busy night.
She is usually shown as an old woman flying on a broomstick. She wears a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters homes through the chimney. She often has a friendly smile and carries a bag full of treats and gifts.
Contents
The Legend of Befana
Befana and the Wise Men
One popular Christian story says that the Three Wise Men (also called the Three Kings) came to Befana's house a few days before baby Jesus was born. They were looking for directions to find Jesus, whose star they had seen in the sky. Befana didn't know where he was, but she let them stay the night because she had the cleanest and most welcoming home in the village.
The Wise Men invited her to join them on their journey to find baby Jesus. But Befana said no, explaining she was too busy with her housework. Later, Befana changed her mind. She tried to find the Wise Men and Jesus, but she couldn't catch up. So, to this day, La Befana is still searching for the baby Jesus. As she searches, she leaves toys and candy for good children. For children who haven't been so good, she leaves coal, dark candy, onions, or garlic.
Befana, the Mother of All Children
Another Christian story tells of Befana as an ordinary woman who loved her child very much. Sadly, her child passed away, and she was heartbroken. When she heard that Jesus had been born, she went to see him, hoping he might be her own child. She met Jesus and gave him gifts to make him happy. Baby Jesus was delighted and gave Befana a special gift in return: she would become the mother of every child in Italy.
Befana's Secret Visits
Tradition says that if Befana sees someone watching her, she might playfully tap them with her broomstick. She prefers not to be seen! This part of the story might have been created to encourage children to stay in bed on Epiphany Eve.
Befana's Endless Search
Another common Christian legend says that Befana spent her days cleaning. One day, the Wise Men came to her door looking for baby Jesus. Befana turned them away, saying she was too busy cleaning. Feeling guilty later, she decided to find Jesus on her own. She followed a bright light in the sky, believing it would lead the way. She brought a bag filled with baked goods and gifts for Jesus, and even a broom to help his new mother clean. But despite her best efforts, she never found him.
According to this story, Befana is still searching for the newborn Messiah after all these centuries. On Epiphany Eve, she visits every house where there is a child and leaves a gift. Even though she hasn't found Jesus, she leaves gifts for children everywhere because she believes the spirit of the Christ Child can be found in all children.
The History of Befana
The tradition of Befana has been popular throughout Italy for many centuries. It started in Rome and spread to other parts of the country over time.
Many people think the name Befana comes from how Italians say the Greek word epifania or epiphaneia, which means "appearance." Others believe the name might come from "Bastrina," which refers to gifts given to an old Roman goddess named Strenia.
Some historians believe that the custom of exchanging gifts during Befana's visit is linked to an ancient Roman celebration. This festival honored the gods Ianus and Strenia at the beginning of the year, when Romans would give each other presents. In fact, a Christmas gift in Italian used to be called strenna.
The Befana tradition also seems to mix in other older, pre-Christian ideas, which were then adapted into Christian culture. For example, the old woman character might represent the "old year" that has just passed. In many European countries, there's a tradition of burning a puppet of an old lady at the start of the New Year. This custom, like the "Giubiana" in Northern Italy, has roots in ancient Celtic traditions. Some experts also connect Befana to ancient beliefs about fertility and farming.
Befana Today
Befana is celebrated all over Italy and has become a national symbol. In regions like the Marches, Umbria, and Latium, her story is especially important. The town of Urbania is even thought to be her official home! Every year, a big festival is held there to celebrate Befana. Thousands of people attend, and many Befanas swing from the main tower, juggling, dancing, and greeting children.
Traditionally, Italian children expect to find a lump of "coal" in their stockings. But don't worry, it's actually rock candy that's been colored black with caramel! This is a fun reminder that every child has been a little bit naughty at some point during the year.
Three main places in Italy are famous for their Befana traditions today:
- Piazza Navona in central Rome hosts a popular market between Christmas and Epiphany. Here, you can find toys, coal candy, and other sweets. The famous Roman poet Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli even wrote poems about the Befana celebration in Piazza Navona. Some people believe that at midnight on January 6th, Befana appears in a window overlooking Piazza Navona, and many visitors go there hoping to see her.
- The town of Urbania in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Marches holds the national Befana festival every year, usually from January 2nd to 6th. There are plans to build a "house of the Befana" there, and the post office even has a special mailbox for letters addressed to Befana, just like Santa Claus has in Finland.
- In Fornovo di Taro, a town in the province of Parma, a national gathering called "Raduno Nazionale delle Befane e dei Befani" takes place on January 5th and 6th.
In other parts of the world where many Italians live, Befana traditions are also celebrated. For example, in Toronto, Canada, a "Befana Choir" sings in a parade every December. People dress up as Befana, singing and giving candy to children, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Poems and Songs
There are many poems about Befana, with slightly different versions known across Italy. Here is one popular version:
La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte
Col vestito alla romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!
This translates to English as:
The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all tattered and torn
She comes dressed in the Roman way
Long live the Befana!
Another version, from a poem by Giovanni Pascoli, goes like this:
Viene, viene la Befana
Vien dai monti a notte fonda
Come è stanca! la circonda
Neve e gelo e tramontana!
Viene, viene la Befana
And in English, it means:
Here comes, here comes the Befana
She comes from the mountains in the deep of the night
Look how tired she is! All wrapped up
In snow and frost and the north wind!
Here comes, here comes the Befana!
In other media
- La freccia azzurra, a 1996 animated film, was released in the US as How the Toys Saved Christmas.
- The Italian Christmas fantasy comedy film The Legend of the Christmas Witch (Italian: La Befana vien di notte), came out on December 27, 2018. This movie, made by Italy and Spain, was directed by Michele Soavi. It features a 500-year-old Befana who works as a schoolteacher during the day.
- The Disney+ Christmas miniseries The Santa Clauses included Befana, played by Laura San Giacomo.
See also
In Spanish: Befana para niños
