|
|
|
|
Gifts From Beyond: The Good Italian Witch Befana |
| Section: CULTURE / FOLK WISDOM |
| Author: Helen Mondloch |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 1/1/2001 |
| Size: 2,420 Words, 14,823 Characters |
|
Befana is an enchanting figure. Her name likely derives from the name of the feast day with which she is associated in popular lore--Epifania, from a Greek term meaning "manifestation." Others say she shares the name of an Etruscan goddess. She is coarse, toothless, and unkempt--one of the poor folk. Yet she comes annually bearing gifts. She is loving and good, a mythic player in the drama of Christ's birth. Witchlike, she also instills fear.
In Christian tradition, the January 6 celebration of Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the three Wise Men, who came to Bethlehem to worship the newborn Messiah. With her legendary ties to that miraculous event, the "Good Witch" Befana has been called the indigenous Italian Christmas gift giver. She is often compared to Saint Nicholas, Babushk...
. . .
...ollective unconsciousness since the earliest fireside gatherings, when families shared their yearnings for abundance and prosperity.
Additional Reading
Carol Field, Celebrating Italy, W. Morrow and Co., New York, 1990.
Raven Grimassi, Italian Witchcraft, Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minn., 2000. On the Internet Additional Reading:www.made-in-italy.com/events/story.htm
(806 of 14,823 characters)
Do you want to read
the whole article? You can
purchase it here.
Subscriber Login |
|
|
Publication Details
(The World & I Online) |
|
The World & I Online is a
comprehensive academic resource that encompasses a broad range of
articles by scholars and experts in the areas of Global Studies,
Liberal Arts, Fine & Applied Arts, General Science, and Spanish.
Originally published monthly in print as The World & I, our site
includes the complete contents since 1986 and continues to publish
a new issue online each month. |
|
Individual Subscription
|
 |
|
|
|
College Orders (based
on full-time enrollment) |
|
-
2 to 5 Computers |
|
-
Up to 1,000 Students |
|
-
1,001 to 2,500 Students |
|
-
2,501 to 5,000 Students |
|
-
5,001 to 10,000 Students |
|
-
10,001 or More Students |
|
|
|
Public Library Orders |
|
-
2 to 5 Computers |
|
-
6 to 50 Computers |
|
-
51 to 100 Computers |
|
For over 100
computers, call 866-211-6040. |
|
|
