Tarantella

What is Tarantella?

The tarantella refers to several traditional dances from the south of Italy. People perform them in regions like Calabria, Campania, Sicily, and Apulia. The music moves quickly, usually in a six-eight rhythm. Dancers often play tambourines while they move. The style varies by location, with names like pizzica in Salento or tammurriata in Campania. It is also found in Greece and Malta. The dance can be elegant and graceful or frantic and energetic depending on its purpose.

Where does Tarantella come from?

The dance likely began in Apulia, near the city of Taranto. Local lore claims the name comes from the wolf spider, Lycosa tarantula, whose bite was believed to cause a condition called tarantism. Victims would dance for hours to cure the effects. Some scholars suggest the dance survived from ancient Greek or Roman religious rites that were later suppressed. The Neapolitan version may have developed from a mix of Spanish fandango and Moorish dance forms in the fifteenth century.

How is Tarantella danced?

Dancers arrange themselves as solo performers or couples. In courtship versions, partners move gracefully through short, structured routines. In the healing context, a solo dancer might move frantically for days to sweat out the poison. A unique feature involves a musical duel where the drummer and dancer try to outlast each other by increasing speed until one tires. Couples may also mimic sword fights or romantic pursuits within the steps.

The music of Tarantella

The accompaniment relies heavily on percussion, especially the tambourine. Melodic instruments include the mandolin, guitar, accordion, flute, fiddle, trumpet, and clarinet. The tempo is generally fast and upbeat. In therapeutic settings, the music matches the victim's pace, shifting from loud and shrill to soft and calm to aid recovery. The rhythmic cycle is typically six-eight beats per measure.

Costume and what is carried

The sources do not provide specific details regarding traditional costumes, makeup, or masks used during the performance. Information on attire is absent from the provided text.

When and where Tarantella is danced

People dance the tarantella for social gatherings and courtship rituals. Historically, it served a medical function during the summer harvest season. Farmers believed spider bites caused delirium, so they danced to induce perspiration and restore health. Today, various groups keep the tradition alive by performing these regional styles at cultural events and festivals across southern Italy.

Styles of Tarantella

Different regions use distinct names for their local versions. Calabria calls it sonu a ballu, while Campania uses tammurriata. Salento features the pizzica. The Neapolitan tarantella focuses on cheerful melodies and couple formations. Other forms emphasize the dramatic, curative aspects of the original ritual. Modern ensembles continue to adapt these styles for contemporary audiences.

What Tarantella means

The tarantella is a recognized symbol of southern Italian heritage. It reflects the complex history of the region, which was once under Greek, Spanish, and Austrian rule. The connection to tarantism highlights how folklore blended with early medical beliefs. Although the spider bite theory is now considered myth, the dance remains a vital part of local identity and community life.

Questions people ask about Tarantella

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Tarantella on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos and video on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data
• Videos of Tarantella on YouTubeSearch results, not chosen by Ghungroo