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Skinny, hairy mischievous and even dangerous creatures called the Callicanzari prey upon people between Christmas and Epiphany, January 6. Descriptions of them vary. In some areas it is believed that they wear wooden or iron boots while in other they are hooved not booted. Some think that they are male while others see them as wolves or even monkeys. According to folk tales, Callicanzari are soldiers who have died and have become vampires. King Herod had sent them to kill all babies hoping that Christ would be among them. According to another version Callikanzari are children who are born at Christmas. Some houses keep fires burning through Christmas to keep the spirits from entering the house by thr chimney. Other households would put out meat in order to bribe Callikanzari. In some places local festivals take place which include representations of these creatures.