Befana

Hey guys!!

Two days ago the Befana was celebrated in Italy! Although I don't know to what extent it's still celebrated nowadays (for example here in Portugal barely anyone really celebrates the Epiphany (Dia dos Reis) which was yesterday), but here is a little bit of background about that day and how it came to be!

In Italian folklore, Befana  is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the night before Epiphany, like Santa Claus!

A popular belief is that her name comes from "La Festa dell'Epifania". Other suggest that Befana is descended from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strina, but no one knows exacly.

In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their shoes with candy and presents if they are good. Or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad (I know exacly like Santa). She supposedly is a good housekeeper, so many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. 

To some the sweeping meant the sweeping away of the problems of the year. 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, although milk would be better in my oppinion, after so many houses she is sure to get wasted!

She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both.

Many also call her the Christmas Witch due to these similarities!

This will be all for now, see you next time!

Nana