words by Barry Lillie
On Christmas Eve, children in Italy lie in their beds waiting for the arrival of Babbo Natale (Father Christmas), however, in January when their British cousins are helping their parents to pack away the tinsel and trees, Italian children are still celebrating. As they lie in their beds on the eve of Epiphany they wait for another gift bearing visitor.
On the 6th of January, to commemorate the arrival of “ I Magi “ (the three kings) bearing gifts for the twelve day old bambino Gesú (Jesus), children also celebrate the arrival of La Befana, the kind but very ugly witch.
Legend tells of an old woman who is invited by the kings to accompany them on their trip to Bethlehem. She refuses to join them because she is too busy with housework. Later she regrets her decision and goes out in search of them. Sadly they have long since left the area, so she fills her arms with gifts and after climbing aboard her broomstick she takes to the skies.
Traditionally families would burn a Christmas log in a specially built hearth called a “fogolar”, the log would burn for twelve days and it would light the way for La Befana.
See on italymag.co.uk
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