In Romania, Christmas and mid-winter celebrations last from 20th December to 7th January. The 20th is called ‘Ziua de Ignat’ or simply ‘Ignat Day’. It is traditional that if the family keep pigs, one is killed on this day by the head of the household.
When did La Befana start?
Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century. The name La Befana derives from the word “epifania”. Epiphany is the religious observation following Christmas of the arrival of the Three Magi to present their precious gifts to the Baby Jesus.
How do you celebrate Christmas in Romania?
Further Christmas traditions and customs in Romania include the decorating of Christmas Tree, which is usually performed by the whole family a couple of days before Christmas; the arrival of Santa Claus with his bag full of gifts, a practice that takes place on Christmas Eve; the decorating of each city with millions …
What does Befana do all day long?
That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the little baby. She leaves all the good children toys and candy (“caramelle”) or fruit, while the bad children get coal (“carbone”), onions or garlic. In this telling, Befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping.
Why do Romanians fast?
It’s actually the cumulative force of body and spirit that helps us get rid of accumulated toxins, cleans dead cells, and balances and rejuvenates the body. In the Romanian tradition, the Great Lent denotes the period of repentance preceding Easter. The fast lasts for forty days, plus the week of Christ’s Passions.
What do Romanians drink at Christmas?
The cozonac (a sweet bread usually made with cocoa and nuts) is the most popular. Meanwhile, the traditional tuica (or palinca in some regions) is the Romanians’ favorite alcoholic drink on Christmas. The Christmas Eve is on December 24.
How is Befana celebrated today?
The arrival of la Befana is celebrated with traditional Italian foods such as panettone and marks the end of the long and festive holiday season in Italy. In honor of the Three Wise Men, Italians go to church and enjoy spending the day with family.
Do Romanians believe in Christmas?
Romanians have a whole tradition of merrymaking around Christmas. Besides fasting, confession and the Holy Communion are part of a soul cleanse before Christmas. Jesus’ birth celebration | © holiho/ Pixabay. On December 6, Romanians celebrate Saint Nicholas, a very popular character among children.
Why does Befana ride on a broom?
Befana is said to be an old woman and many refer to her as a witch, who visits all the children in Italy on the eve of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6. So, Santa gets fat and jolly from all the sweets families leave for him and Befana drunkenly rides her broom from house to house leaving candy.
What is a black fast Catholic?
• The Black Fast is a medieval religious fast meant to be practiced during Lent that bars meat, alcohol, and dairy, and limits you to one meal a day, eaten after sundown. • As a practicing Roman Catholic, I decided to try it out for nine days.
Where can you find Befana in Italy?
Some places celebrate Befana more than others such as Piazza Novana in Rome, where you can find some candies and mini coal candy on sale during the Christmas and Epiphany market where lore says she shows herself in a window at midnight, bringing a crowd to “see” Befana every year at midnight in early January.
What is the story of Befana?
Another Christian story that takes a darker turn says Befana was an ordinary mother who was suffering from the loss of her child. She went crazy with grief and when she heard about the birth of Jesus, she went to find him in the delusion that he was her son. She eventually met Jesus and presented gifts to make him happy.
What did the three wise men ask Befana?
Christian legend had it that Befana was approached by the biblical magi, also known as the Three Wise Men (or the three kings) a few days before the birth of the Infant Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she did not know.
