“L’Epifania tutte le feste si porta via” is an Italian saying which means “Epiphany carries
away all festivities”. Actually the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on 6
January with a national holiday in Italy, is a big part of Italian Christmas
celebrations. Befana, a hag riding a
broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl, plays a starring role in this
feast and is loved as much as Santa Claus. In popular folklore Befana visits
all the Italian children on the night of 5 to 6 January to fill their socks
with candy and presents if they are good or a
lump of coal if they are bad.
The Legend
Probably the name Befana
is derived from the Italians' mispronunciation of the Greek word Epifania or Epiphaneia (in English “Epiphany”), a term which commemorates the
visit of the Magi (also known as the Three Wise Men) to the Baby Jesus on 6th
January.
According to the legend, a few days before the birth
of the Infant Jesus, the Magi asked Befana for directions to where the Son of
God was, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know. She
provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best
housekeeper in the village, with the most pleasant home. The Magi invited her
to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating
she was too busy with her housework. Later, Befana had a change of heart, and
tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus. That night she was not able to
find them, so to this
day, Befana is searching for the little baby, leaving all the good children
toys and candy, while the bad children get coal.
The origins
The origins of Befana may actually go back farther, to
the Roman’s pagan festival of Saturnalia, starting just before the winter
solstice. At the end of this feast, the Romans used to go to the Temple of Juno
to have their augers read by an old crone who call to mind the character of
Befana.
Celebrations in Salerno
Many towns and villages celebrate the Feast of
Epiphany with festivals, processions and living nativities. Every year on 5
January in the town of Pontecagnano Faiano (Salerno), an handcrafted sock
record, about 70 meters long, and a procession of women dressed as Befana, greet
the arrival of the hag.
Discover the folklore of Epiphany in
Salerno with Accademia Italiana, we are waiting for you!
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