New Year

[Goyambokka]

When I was a child we had a small present at New year from Queen Bafarna (no idea how to spell it). Has anyone else heard of this custom?

[brachiopod]

Do you mean La Befana?

She was the sort of witch in Italian folk-lore that brought toys to the good children and left a lump of coal for the naughty ones on the epiphany (Jan 6th)

Story here.

[Goyambokka]

How interesting! Yes, it must be linked to that story. Befana has got the sound of epiphany in it to me.
A very timely answer, brachiopod. Thank you so much.