Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
As a kid I went to quite a few Italian weddings where they played the "Tarantella". In fact, you can hear it in some of the scenes from "Godfather".
From Wikipedia:
During ancient times in the area around the Greek colony of Taranto in southern Italy, a type of poisonous spider was so prevalent that it took the
name Lycosa tarantula. Its venom caused a hysterical condition known as Tarantism, the symptoms of which were an irresistible need for a wild and
rapid whirling motion bringing the victim to the point of exhaustion, also known as Tarantulism. For long time, the local population believed that the
only way to suppress the symptoms and to cure the bite was by using a very rhythmic and fast music. The music played for the cure became known as
Tarantella. The older documents mentioning the relationship between musical exorcism for the Tarantella are dated around 1100. The tradition is still
very present in the area, and is known as "Neo-Tarantism.” Many young artists, groups and famous musicians are continuing keeping the tradition alive.
The music is very different, but has similar hypnotic effects, especially when people are exposed to the rhythm for a long period of time. The music
is used in the therapy of patients with certain forms of depression and hysteria, and its effects on the endocrine system recently became an object of
research |
those
fellas...or ladies as the case may be, are very good to have around...they eat lots of bugs and sometimes rodents!
