“Tarantella” is connected to the tarantula. (The words derive from the town of Taranto, Italy.) In the 15th to 17th centuries, it was thought that this dance would cure tarantism, which is a disease or type of hysteria which seemed to occur as a result of the tarantula’s bite. (source)
Traditionally, the dancers (sometimes just the women, sometimes everyone) hold tambourines. Students could make their own tambourines. (Dance available for download below.)
See also
- Country: Italy
- Activities: dances
- Recording: Sicilian Tarantella – Manuel Das-Neves
YouTube
- Dance steps (PDF)
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