The Italians have a Christmas tradition that centers around a character called the Befana. She is a kind of Christmas witch. Her origins are pre-Christian, but like many other of our holidays, she’s been incorporated into the Christian tradition. On the eve of the Epiphany (January 5), she visits the homes of children and fills their socks with candy and small presents if they’ve been good or lumps of coal if they’ve been bad. She is usually portrayed as a Halloween witch, old and gnarled, with a broomstick. She enters children’s houses by coming down the chimney and will sweep up before she leaves. Like Santa, she doesn’t like to be seen.
Post 495 - January 7, 2022
Post 495 - January 7, 2022
Post 495 - January 7, 2022
The Italians have a Christmas tradition that centers around a character called the Befana. She is a kind of Christmas witch. Her origins are pre-Christian, but like many other of our holidays, she’s been incorporated into the Christian tradition. On the eve of the Epiphany (January 5), she visits the homes of children and fills their socks with candy and small presents if they’ve been good or lumps of coal if they’ve been bad. She is usually portrayed as a Halloween witch, old and gnarled, with a broomstick. She enters children’s houses by coming down the chimney and will sweep up before she leaves. Like Santa, she doesn’t like to be seen.