The
Tarantella is a Italian folk dance. The dance was introduced in 1844
by Madame Michau. Their are two sources for the origination of this
dance. One is the tarantula spider, because the dance was used supposedly
to cure the bite of the spider, (a cure if you will). The bite of the
spider is supposed to make one hallucinate, the towns folk would play
music and the afflicted person would dance to ward off the spiders venom,
others say the venom would make the person move about as if dancing
(Middle Ages). The second story is of the town named Toranto, its supposed
origin.
The Legend of the Tarantella
No Italian wedding or celebration would be complete without the
rhythmic song and dance of the tarantella. It is the most popular
of all the Italian songs and it is even considered by many as the
song of Italy. The song is both lively and graceful and the dance
is one of light and quick steps mixed with passionate gestures. Its
origin dates back to the Middles Ages and traces of a similar song
can even be found in Magna Graecia.
Legend states that between the 15th and 17th centuries an epidemic
of tarantism swept through the town of Taranto in southern Italy.
This was as a result of being bit by the poisonous tarantula spider.
The victim, which is referred to as the tarantata, was almost always
a woman but never a high ranking lady or one of an aristocratic upbringing.
Once bitten the tarantata would fall into a trance that could only
be cured by frenzied dancing. People would surround the victim while
musicians would play mandolins, guitars and tambourines in search
of the correct rhythm. Each beat would have a different effect on
the tarantata causing various movements and gestures. Once the correct
rhythm was found it was almost certain that the tarantata was cured.
As legends have it there always seems to be more than one version.
Another version states that a woman who was depressed and frustrated
from the subordinate lifestyle would fall into a trance that could
only be cured by music and dance. This normally lasted three days
and during that time the tarantata would be the center of attention,
which in turn would cure them of their frustrations and depressions.
Of these two variations that most popular is the one in which the
victim is bitten by the poisonous tarantula. This is why the tarantella
is sometimes referred to as the dance of the spider.
This is a picture depicting the preformance of the "Tarantella".
Tarantism
Tarantism was an obscure illness which was epidemic in southern Italy
between the 15th and 17th centuries. It manifested itself in melancholy
and an overwhelming desire to dance. It was popularly believed to
be caused by the bite of the tarantula. |
