La Befana, Arrival of the Magi & La Pinza Veneta

January 6 is traditionally considered the end of the Christmas holiday. It is the twelfth night of Christmas and is often called the Epiphany or L’Epifania in Italian. According to tradition, this is the day when the three wise men or the Magi visit Jesus in the manger. It has also developed into a family holiday in Italy where children are given candy and treats if they are good and coal if they aren’t. These goods are delivered by an old woman on a broomstick known as La Befana.

La Befana is supposed to be an old woman whom the three Magi met on their way to the manger. Legend has it that they asked for shelter on their way to Bethlehem and that she refused to give it to them. The story is that she said she was too busy cleaning her house, hence the broomstick as part of her image. At some point though, she changed her mind and wanted to accompany them to Bethlehem. When she went to look for them, they had vanished. She has been wandering around looking for them ever since.

In addition to bringing treats for kids, La Befana usually brings traditional desserts to the table for adults. Jan 6 is a national holiday in Italy so many people take the opportunity to have a big, traditional family meal. In the Veneto region in the North East of the country, for example, the meal generally ends with a delicious piece of La Pinza Veneta. Made with cornmeal, it is a very dense cake with raisins and figs. Most people in Italy consider La Befana the end of the holiday season and the beginning of the new year. Auguri.