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The
Legend of ‘La Befana’: Fun Activities for the Home or
Classroom La Befana is the benevolent old woman with magical
powers who brings gifts to the children of Italy on the eve of the Epiphany. Like any other
legend, there are many versions.
There is an abundance of sources to research the history, origin,
significance and the numerous versions of la Befana - an Italian
Christmas tradition. (Some
resources are listed below.) Derivation:
The name Befana is derived from the word epifania, the
Italian name for the religious festival of the Epiphany. A Tradition
for Children: In the weeks preceding Epiphany, the
children of Italy are busy writing notes to Befana telling her the
presents they would most like to receive. And they are on their best behavior because they know that
Befana will leave a lump of coal, instead of sweets and toys, for
ill-behaved youngsters. The Legend:
Synopsis:
This story takes place at the time of the birth of Baby Jesus, the
Christ Child. La Befana
is an old woman who lives in a house in the hills of Italy. She once had a husband and child, but
now lives alone. Befana
spends her days sweeping and baking.
One night, Befana notices a bright light in the sky, she thinks
nothing of it and goes back to her work of sweeping and baking. Later, a glorious caravan led by
Three Wise Men stop and ask Befana for directions to Bethlehem and
invite Befana to join them in their search for the Christ Child. But Befana is too busy and
knows nothing of this far-away place nor the birth of a special baby. After the caravan disappeared over
the hills, Befana thought of how much she missed her child who sadly
died at a very young age. She
changed her mind and wanted to visit this special child, because she loves
children very much. So she
placed some baked goods and gifts for the child in a sack, took her broom to
help the new mother clean and raced out after the caravan in search of the
Baby Jesus. Befana soon
was lost. And just as she tired,
angels appeared from the bright light, the magic star, in the sky to give
flight to Befana on her broom - after all this was a night of
miracles. She searched and
searched for the Baby Jesus.
Befana still searches, even today, even after all these centuries. And so, every year on the eve of the
Epiphany, whenever Befana comes to a house where there is a child, she
drops in to see if it might be the child she seeks. It never is, but Befana leaves a gift
anyway. For Befana has
come to realize, over the years, that her searching is not vain, that in a
way the Christ Child can be found in all children. Poem: La
Befana vien di notte, con
le scarpe tutte rotte, col
cappello alla romana … viva,
viva, la Befana! For another poem
visit: http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600j.htm Craft
activity: Children can decorate a holiday
stocking to prepare for the visit from la Befana. Color-in
activity: To print a line drawing of la
Befana, click here. Storybook:
To print a simple storybook, that you can color-in, about la
Befana, click here. Full color
image: To print a full color image of la
Befana, click here. La Befana Doll: Among other
places, a doll of la Befana can be purchased at: E.
Rossi & Sons 191
Grand Street (at the corner of Mulberry Street), Little Italy, Manhattan (212)
966-6640 Capri
Universal, Inc. 615
East 187th Street (near Arthur Avenue), Belmont section of the
Bronx (718)
367-1843 The Costume: The costume of la
Befana is simple and can be created out of items from the house: q
shawl q
scarf q
apron q
old broken
shoes (le scarpe tutte rotte) q
eyeglasses q
burlap sack q straw broom (la scopa) q
coal (il carbone) Storybooks: The
Legend of Old Befana by Tomie De Paola Befana: A Christmas Story
by Anne Rockwell The
Legend of Befana by Henry Chafetz The
Christmas Witch: An Italian
Legend by Joanne Oppenheim The
Christmas Witch by Ilse Plume Video:
The Legend of Befana: The Italian Epiphany Tale by Judi Mazziotti Websites: A simple keyword
search of “la Befana” will retrieve several websites in English and
Italian, such as; Viva, viva, la Befana !!! [Return to the Community Affairs page.] |
