On
Epiphany Eve children in Italy go to bed expecting La Befana to visit the house
during the night. She leaves gifts for children who have been good during the
past year and warns those who have misbehaved. The name “Befana” comes from the
Italian word for Epiphany, Epiphania. La Befana may also be referred to as La
Strega, meaning “the witch,” or La Vecchia, meaning “the old woman.”
Although
not much is known about the history of this figure from Italian legend, some
authorities believe that La Befana may be related to Berchta, another
witch-like figure who visits homes in central and northern Europe during the
Twelve Days of Christmas and, especially, on Twelfth Night. La Befana also
appears to be related to Baboushka, a Russian folk figure about whom a nearly
identical tale is told.
