The regional phenomenon of tarantism: tarantula-bitten women cured by dance

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-tarantula-possessed-women-who-could-only-be-cured-by-dance

by pepys • 11 years ago

17 6 11 years ago

atlasobscura.com

jeffehobbs• 11 years ago

This seems like bullshit, tbh.

lifeformed• 11 years ago

You should read the article, it talks about the causes.

stefantalpalaru• 11 years ago

There were no actual spider bites involved. It was a socially accepted way to externalize one's pain through hysterics and be healed through a form of exorcism. People who saw benefits from the ritual tended to repeat it the next year.

wslh• 11 years ago

Side topic: don't miss the Notte della Taranta music festival: https://youtu.be/PgFOf73Z088

murbard2• 11 years ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome

dbof• 11 years ago

I am actually quite impressed that this is on HN. I am from the place where this dance is practiced, and it is a cultural highlight there. Most lyrics describe a physical pain and the willingness to dance to get the pain off. And as someone who likes to dance to this kind of music, I can tell you: It works! The most popular songs are called "pizzica" and often talk about love.

The regional phenomenon of tarantism: tarantula-bitten women cured by dance

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