On the nights of 3, 4 and 5 January, in Gradoli groups of children and young people parade through the streets making a deafening noise using lids, pots, ladles, trumpets, bells and horns.
A popular legend tells that "Tentavecchie" with their noise, are intended to awaken the old Befana to remind her to bring gifts to children.
The Tentavecchie fit into the pagan rituals of the land of the winter solstice.
The Christian tradition has also added a version saying that by their noise Tentavecchie serve to cover the sound of the weeping of Jesus to avoid being fround by Herod.
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