As children, I am sure many of us remember impatiently awaiting Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. Although kids in Italy eagerly await Santa’s descent down the chimney as well, they are more excited for another visitor to come around Christmastime.
According to an Italian legend, La Befana, a witch who travels via broomstick, was invited to travel with the Wise Men to see the baby Jesus after his birth. Regretting her decision, she set out with gifts for him, but she was unsuccessful and could not find him. Guiltily, on her way back from her attempt, she left gifts for the Italian children. Every January 5th, or Epiphany Eve, La Befana comes to every child’s house and fills their shoes or stockings with gifts.
Epiphany is a public holiday celebrated on January 6th by not just Italy, but Austria, Colombia, Greece, Slovakia, and many others as well. It has been celebrated since the end of the second century and festivities could include children dressing up as the three kings and a large feast at the end of the day, but they range from country to country.
When comparing the holiday of Epiphany itself, this same holiday is celebrated in the United States as “Three Kings Day”, but there are many differences between the Italian version and our own holiday. First, no offices or businesses are closed for Three Kings Day in the United States. But, in Italy, if a store is open on Epiphany, it is considered offensive. People in Italy take time during this day to attend church and spend the day with family, while people here most likely continue on with their normal daily routine, as our last main celebration after Christmas is New Year’s Eve. Also, a second “Santa” does not bring gifts in America, like La Befana does in Italy.
When comparing Santa and La Befana, there are also many differences. Although Santa is present and significant in both countries, La Befana is of significantly more importance to the children in Italy than Santa is. The goodies that Santa places in American children’s stockings are somewhat similar to the gifts that La Befana gives to Italian children. Candy is a go-to gift for the good children, while coal is given to the misbehaved ones. In addition to the coal though, La Befana places onions and garlic in the stockings or shoes of the bad children as well. As people place cookies and milk out to entice Santa in the United States, La Befana is attracted by a plate of broccoli with spiced sausage and glass of wine on Epiphany Eve, not Christmas Eve.
Something that I found as very interesting is that La Befana does not seem to be a source of intense marketing focus, like Santa is in the United States. Months before Christmas, Santa shaped candies, Santa hats, and many more related items pop up in stores across the country. But I could not find similar intensities in the use of La Befana for marketing purposes in Italy, which shows how different cultures use legends to support different ideals. Overall, La Befana and Epiphany is an intriguing cultural holiday, so if you ever find yourself wandering the streets of Italy around January 5th, make sure to leave your shoes out so La Befana can leave you some goodies!