The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS LEGEND

IT IS BELIEVED IN ITALY THAT A POOR OLD WOMAN CALLED LABUFANA COMES
TO EACH HOUSE ON THE EPIPHANY AND GIVES THE GOOD PEOPLE FRUITS, NUTS
AND OTHER GIFTS AND TO THE BAD PEOPLE BURNT COAL. IN SOME SMALL
VILLAGES IN ITALY WOMEN DRESS UP AS LABUFANA AND DISTRIBUTE THE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT