tarantism
Quick Summary
Tarantism was a dancing mania or malady that occurred in late medieval Europe, particularly in Taranto, Italy, between the 15th and 17th centuries. It was characterized by a hysterical impulse to dance. Some believed tarantism was caused by the bite of the European wolf spider, also known as the tarantula, and that dancing was the only cure. This craze may have led to the Italian folk dance called the tarantella.12
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tarantella…tarantella’s origin is connected with tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to the 17th century and that was obscurely associated with the bite of the tarantula spider; victims seemingly were cured by frenzied dancing. All three words ultimately derive from the name…
Read More…tarantella’s origin is connected with tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to the 17th century and that was obscurely associated with the bite of the tarantula spider; victims seemingly were cured by frenzied dancing. All three words ultimately derive from the name…
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Western danceDance ecstasiesItaly was afflicted with tarantism, an epidemic presumably caused by the bite of venomous spiders. Its effects had to be counteracted by distributing the poison over the whole body and “sweating it out,” which was accomplished by dancing to a special kind of music, the tarantella.
Read MoreItaly was afflicted with tarantism, an epidemic presumably caused by the bite of venomous spiders. Its effects had to be counteracted by distributing the poison over the whole body and “sweating it out,” which was accomplished by dancing to a special kind of music, the tarantella.
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