Day: January 6, 2024

As I’ve mentioned before, I am very proud of my Italian heritage and a very famous folklore is La Befana – ‘The Christmas Witch’. Just like there are tales of Krampus, the origins of Santa Claus, etc; La Befana is no exception.

As children, my Nonna Santa (grandmother), would dress up as La Befana for holiday events at the church. Before you ask, “Is Santa her real name?” well no, it’s a nickname since she was born on All Saints’ Day.

Sadly, not many Western Italians (for myself Italian/Canadian) celebrate La Befana any more, but I want to bring it back for my kids. My husband is Romanian, so I got to teach him all about La Befana, he found it fascinating and completely on board with keeping this tradition alive. Now, hopefully I can teach you a bit about her.

There are many variations of the story, but all have one thing in common: She comes January the sixth to celebrate the end of the festive season and she visits all the children in Italy, leaving them candies, cookies and small gifts.

Now here is the story of La Befana (as I know it):

La Befana was an old woman who lived in her little house alone on the outskirts of a small village. The villagers would call her crazy and unfriendly, avoiding her. However, always curious about what she did. They knew that she would sweep all day long: her little house, her steps and walk way. One night, after she had gone to bed, a bright star began to shine up in the sky, illuminating her whole house. The following day as she was sweeping, a procession came along the road: camels, horses, elephants, people and three royal-looking men wearing crowns. They stopped to speak with La Befana briefly; asking for directions to Bethlehem, as they were going to see the Baby King that was just born. She was unable to help them, never even hearing of Bethlehem before. She went back to her sweeping and as the procession began once more, they encouraged her to come along with them to see the Child King and that he has come to change the world and help the poor and unfortunate. And they are bringing Him gifts to celebrate his coming. La Befana pondered the statement, continuing to sweep as she watched the procession disappear down the road. She went back to her little home and decided to go see the Baby King, but wondered what she could offer as a gift. She began to bake and she baked: cakes, cookies and candies. She packed them up in a basket, put on a shawl and grabbed her broom. Off she went, running and running down the road until she couldn’t any more, trying her best to catch up to the procession. She felt a bit hopeless in that moment, wondering where Bethlehem was and that she would never see the Baby King. Then as she sat by the side of the road, the sky suddenly filled with light and angels began to sing. La befana urged them to tell her where she could find the Baby King. Than she she got up from the side of the road and began to run. She begged the angels to show her the way to Bethlehem and she ran faster and faster until she realized she was running in the sky. Sadly, La Befana never caught up and never found the Baby King in Bethlehem, but she still searches, to this day. So every year, on January sixth, La Befana runs across the sky. Children leave large socks or stockings for her to fill. She visits the children while they sleep and leaves gifts from her basket and sweeps their rooms clean.

Now, like Santa, La befana leaves treats and small gifts to children who have been good and coal to those who have been bad. Some families will leave wine and something to eat for her, but that depends on your family’s tradition.

As children we were told the story by my Nonna Santa and we were also read this book as well. I had forgot about this book until I was doing some research on the folklore.It’s beautifully illustrated and wonderfully told. I immediately bought it for my daughter, and I’ll be reading it to her every year. And La Befana, will hopefully visit her on January sixth.

I hope you enjoyed and learned a little something about the beloved Italian Christmas Witch!

Ciao!