Befanaa

Befanaa, often written as Befana in Italian sources and known as La Befana, is a folklore figure associated with Epiphany in Italy. She is typically depicted as an old woman or witch who travels through the night of January 5, riding a broom to deliver gifts to children in many regions.

According to the tradition, good children receive sweets, fruit, and small presents, while those who behaved badly may find coal, or a lump of dark candy, in their stockings. In many depictions she enters homes through the chimney and leaves her offerings in stockings hung by the fireplace. Over time, chocolate “coal” has become a common modern substitute in many places.

The origins of Befanaa are not precisely documented and are believed to reflect a blend of Christian Epiphany customs with older winter folklore. A popular legend connects her to the Biblical Magi (the Wise Men): while sweeping her floor, she was visited by the travelers and asked for directions to the Christ Child; she declined to join them but later set out to search for the Child, offering gifts to children along the way in the hope of finding him.

Today Befanaa remains a central part of Epiphany celebrations in Italy, with public events, markets, and festive activities accompanying the religious observance on January 6. The tradition also persists in Italian communities abroad, contributing to the wider cultural observance of Epiphany gift-giving.