La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col cappello alla romana
viva viva la Befana!
Translation
The Befana comes at night
in tattered shoes
wearing a Roman hat
long live la Befana!
Today, dear Reader, is the Epiphany , or Little Christmas to many here in Carroll Gardens. The day celebrates the arrival of the three Magi, a.k.a. the Wise Men in Bethlehem to see and offer gifts to the infant Jesus. It is also a national Holiday in many European countries...(I know,right?)
In Italy, this January day is also associated with the charming legend of La Befana, a little old lady who preferred to do some house cleaning rather than to accompany the three wise men on their journey. Here is more on this adorable tradition:
La Befana is one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated legends. Each year on January 6 the children of Italy awaken in hopes that La Befana has made a visit to their house. The legend says: Three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to get information. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door slightly to see who was there. Three colorfully dressed men were at her doorstep, they wanted to get directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was unaware of who these three men were looking for and could not point them in the right direction. Prior to the three men leaving they kindly asked the old woman to join them on their journey. She declined because she had much housework to do. After they left she felt as though she had made a mistake and decided to go and catch up with the kind men. After many hours of searching she could not find them. Thinking of the opportunity she had missed the old woman stopped every child to give them a small treat in hopes that one was the Christ child. Each year on the eve of the Epiphany she sets out looking for the baby Jesus. She stops at each child's house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.
From: JustItaly.org
Very similar to Santa Claus, La Befana leaves presents in children's stockings hung on a mantlepiece or in their shoes placed at the door. The children write notes and a list of toys for Befana, which they hide in the chimney.
For the good children, Befana fills up stockings with nuts and fruit and brings presents, the not-so-good children get a lump of coal.
In Italy today some candy shops sell 'carbone' or black rock candy that actually looks like pieces of coal.
The day is spent going from house to house to celebrate with friends and family.
I say, lets bring back La Befana here in Carroll Gardens. After all, this is STILL a mostly Italian neighborhood.
And maybe we can all take the day off. Now wouldn't that be nice?
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