A woman Santa? A poor, destitute Santa giving all he has? A Saint morphed over time into a jolly bearded man in a red suit?

Every culture has its own version of the Santa Clause legend. This series introduces us to Christmas folklore and Traditions around the world.

Italy

Befana

Pronounced ~ beˈfaːna

Dating back to the 13th century, the legend of Befana is celebrated to this day. La Befana is an old woman who has the appearance of a witch with a large red nose and hunched back. She dresses in clothes adorned with colorful patches, and always carries a broom.

The Italian legend of Befana is similar to that of Saint Nicholas in that she brings gifts. But that is the only similarity.

La Befana was cleaning her house on the 12th night of Christmas- January 5th, in preparation for the infant Jesus's birth. Three Wise Men appeared at her door asking for directions and inviting her along, for they too had heard of the coming of this baby.

Befana was a perfectionist. Because it was a special day, she was driven to make her house spotless. So, believing she had time before his arrival, Befana politely declined, explaining she had too much housework to finish.

By the time her house was scrubbed to perfection it was midnight. She hurried off in search of the Wise Men and the infant Jesus, but was too late and could not find them.

So now, every year on January 5th, La Befana travels to every house in Italy with gifts in search of the baby Jesus. She scurries down chimneys and leaves fruit and candy for the good children and coal and garlic for the naughty.

Legend has it she is so sad that she missed his birth that she uses her broom to "sweep away" the dirt and sorrows.

Some Italian cultures have her riding her magic broom from roof to roof.

Children leave out red or sand colored stocking for her to fill, hoping to awaken on January 6th to a stocking full of goodies. They also write notes to her and even leave out wine, sausage, and broccoli for her to snack upon.

The word Befana is derived from the word Epiphany, which means manifestation or appearing.

It is a true folklore of good witch/bad witch, depending on how well behaved you were the past year. After La Befanas arrival, Italians celebrate going from house to house and party to party, to celebrate the bonds of family and friends.

Italian nursery rhyme children sing for “La Befana”

La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col cappello alla romana
viva viva la Befana!

Rough Translation

The Befana comes at night
wearing old broken shoes
dressed in Roman (hat) style
long live la Befana!

And a slightly darker, and much older Italian lullaby

Italian

"Ninnaò, ninnaò,
questo bimbo a chi lo do
se lo do alla Befana
se lo tiene una settimana
se lo do all'Uomo Nero
se lo tiene un anno intero
ma se il bimbo fa la nanna
se lo tiene la sua mamma"

Rough Translation

"Ninnaò, ninnaò,
who will I give this child to
if I give it to the Befana
she will keep him one whole week
if I give it to the Bogey Man
he will keep him one whole year
but if the child goes to sleep
then his mother will him keep"

Modern Christmas Traditions of Italy

Children open presents on the day of the Feast of Epiphany, January 6
St.Francis of Assisi created the first manger scene in 1223 after visiting the stable where Jesus is thought to have been born.
Carols originated in Italy. Children go from door to door singing, accompanied by shepherds with bagpipes for the three week Christmas season.
No meat or dairy is eaten on Christmas Eve, and that night families attend mass. When they come home they share a fruity sponge cake Panettone (Christmas Cake) and mugs of hot cocoa.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is celebrated on Christmas eve before attending mass. Families eat seven types of fish with their huge feast, with popular fish such as Clams, Baccala (salted Cod), Calamari, Sardines, and Eel. The origin of why seven fish dishes are eaten differs throughout the land. Some families believe that seven represents the seven days of creation in the Bible, and others claim it represents the seven holy sacraments of the Catholic Church.

Olive Trees have always had a special significance in Italy. During Christmas Eve you make a wish and throw an olive tree leaf into the fire. If it takes a long time to burn it means your wish will come true.

Single girls pray their future husband will visit in their dreams on Christmas Eve and place three beans under their pillow before bed- one peeled, one half peeled, and one with the peel on. In the morning, the bean they touch first shows the financial aspects of her future husband: The one with the peel on means he is wealthy, the peeled one means he is poor, and the half peeled one means he is middle class.