Traditional Epiphany ‘Brujel’ Fire: Ancient Roots and Regional Customs
This year as well, today at 6:30 PM, the traditional «brujel» of Epiphany will be held once again at the parish sports field. This ancient rural popular ritual marks the beginning of the year and is still practiced, albeit often with modified meanings from its origins, not only in the hinterlands of Garda but throughout the province and northern Italy.
Meaning and tradition of the «brujel»
Let’s try to explain the true significance of this tradition, which today is associated with Befana or other regional customs. For nearly two thousand years, on the evening of Epiphany, January 6th, when the days start to get longer («A l’Epifania en passo de stria»), «brujei» — large bonfires made of brushwood, firewood, and spines — were lit on the hills and mountain slopes surrounding villages, in courtyards, fields, main squares, and in every neighborhood.
For farmers, the «brujel» symbolized lighting and guiding the Holy Family during its flight into Egypt, while the embers of the bonfire were believed to help the Madonna dry the clothes of the Baby Jesus. In reality, these motivations were part of Christian tradition, as the «brujel» is a rite whose origins are pagan and date back to ancient times.
Symbols and customs associated with the «brujel»
According to tradition, the «brujel» was also thought to bring good luck for the grape harvest or the crops of the upcoming year: as the embers were stirred with a pitchfork, countless sparks would fly, each representing a bunch of grapes or a sheaf of wheat.
Back in Cavaion, during the week prior to the festival, young people from various neighborhoods and courtyards competed to gather the most brushwood and spines to build higher stacks of wood and prolong the «brujel». At the top of the pile was placed a puppet made of rags and used clothes, called the «vècia», representing the old year and misfortune to be burned.
On the evening of Epiphany, residents from the neighborhoods of Villa, Casette, Pellizzara, Piazzola, Contrà di Mezzo, Cavalline, Pozzo, Caorsa, and Incaffi gathered around the fires to sing joyfully while drinking new wine — just as the farmers living in scattered houses and courtyards did. And while «l’Epifania tute le feste la porta via» («Epiphany takes away all festivities»), it was also the beginning of carnival, which from that day would «reign» until Lent.