La Befana

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- diotima
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La Befana
OP - December 13, 2008, 05:15 PM

here?s an alternative thing to Santa ... the italian Witch-version of Santa, called "La befana":
Quote
The most common telling of the Befana story has the three wise men stopping to ask an old woman for directions on their way to Bethlehem. They invite her to join the party, but she refuses because she has too much sweeping to do. After realizing her mistake, she tries and fails to catch up with the wise men with a bag of treats. On the eve of their arrival she throws herself beneath a tree in despair. One of the branches turns into a magic broom, which she is to ride for eternity in her never-ending search for the baby Jesus.

The Mother of all Children

Sabatini prefers a more optimistic telling of the story.

A princess waits for her prince to return from the Crusades, but he doesn't, and she's left childless. She retreats into the forest, where her pain transforms her into a witch. Jesus takes pity and offers her the chance to be the mother of all children -- by disciplining them with the promise of treats and threat of coal, which is always met with tears, according to people around Urbania.
"This is very beautiful, because it's a love story. It has a bad ending that gives life to a greater love," Sabatini says. "Italian people are very romantic."

Befana has traditionally been poor, giving out things like figs, oranges and onions. The burlap sack she carries symbolizes her ties to local agriculture. She was primarily celebrated in Le Marche, Umbria and Lazio, the regions closely associated with the Papal States where the Epiphany held the most importance.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,596060,00.html
- BerberElla
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Re: La Befana
Reply #1 - December 13, 2008, 05:20 PM

Well that's certainly different.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
- diotima
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Re: La Befana
Reply #2 - December 13, 2008, 05:22 PM

Quote from: BerberElla on December 13, 2008, 05:20 PM
Well that's certainly different.

yep .... Italians have a knack for the dramatic!
- diotima
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Re: La Befana
Reply #3 - December 13, 2008, 05:23 PM

Geee! Check out the photo-session! They really have her flying:

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-37974.html#backToArticle=596060
- BerberElla
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Re: La Befana
Reply #4 - December 13, 2008, 05:28 PM

Quote from: diotima on December 13, 2008, 05:23 PM
Geee! Check out the photo-session! They really have her flying:

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-37974.html#backToArticle=596060

Not for all the money in the world.

Ok, maybe for money but good lord that's nuts.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
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Re: La Befana
Reply #5 - December 13, 2008, 05:29 PM

Quote from: BerberElla on December 13, 2008, 05:28 PM
Quote from: diotima on December 13, 2008, 05:23 PM
Geee! Check out the photo-session! They really have her flying:

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-37974.html#backToArticle=596060

Not for all the money in the world.

Ok, maybe for money but good lord that's nuts.

but the festival - all the dressing up etc - sure looks like good fun!
- BerberElla
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Re: La Befana
Reply #6 - December 13, 2008, 05:30 PM

Yeah, I like dressing up.

Be a sexier witch than that though.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
- diotima
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Re: La Befana
Reply #7 - December 13, 2008, 05:32 PM

Quote from: BerberElla on December 13, 2008, 05:30 PM
Yeah, I like dressing up.

Be a sexier witch than that though.

well, that?s not the purpose (according to the article, they have one of the prettiest girl of the town dress up as chief witch, lol)... it?s about kiddies and presents and good cheer, after all, not sex. But am sure, nobody would object.
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