La Befana

Now that Hollywood has discovered Alpine Europe’s Krampus, horned henchman of Saint Nick, it seems inevitable we’ll be served up a fang-gnashing reimagination of Befana, Italy’s Christmas witch.

I first learned of Befana on Conan O’Brien’s old NBC talk show, when he asked guest Isabella Rossellini about her Christmas plans. Inevitably, Rossellini’s mention of the Befana custom, i.e., something unusual and interesting, merely served as a springboard for silly Conanisms, in this instance mocking the notion of witches at Christmastime. Ever gracious, La Rossellini just chuckled good-naturedly.

Befana, I have since learned, is a crone said to fly through the air on Epiphany Eve, January 5, bringing toys and treats to all the good children of Italy—as well as lumps of coal (colored hard candy), because no child is that good. “Befana” in fact is thought to come from “Epifania.” She typically is depicted covered in soot from riding her broom in and out of chimneys. She tends to favor a scarf over a pointed hat.

La Befana (artist unknown).

 

I don’t imagine i bambini give much thought to the poignancy of the Befana legend—it’s all about the goodies for them. According to one tradition, Befana was an old woman who, after the Savior’s birth, declined to leave off her housework and join the Wise Men’s procession to Bethlehem. Too late, she changed her mind and hurried after them. But run as she might she could never catch up. On and on she ran, faster and faster, until at last she rose into the air, fated to fly forever in search of the Christ Child, and leaving for all children the gifts meant for Him.

Rossellini indicated that at her house Befana arrived in person. One can imagine the little ones’ delight. I would love to see Befana come to America—the real one, not the Tinseltown version. Buon Natale!