The regional phenomenon of tarantism: tarantula-bitten women cured by dance(atlasobscura.com)
atlasobscura.com
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
5 comments
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.
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.
Side topic: don't miss the Notte della Taranta music festival: https://youtu.be/PgFOf73Z088
This seems like bullshit, tbh.
You should read the article, it talks about the causes.