Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Neo-Tarantism vs Traditional Tarantism

    Uploaded by

    Kairi Sameshima
    29 views2 pages
    Neo-tarantism is a modern revival of the traditional tarantism ritual practiced in southern Italy. Some key differences between the two are that tarantism was practiced only by struggling farmers in the 1950s-1960s, while neo-tarantism has a more global following. Additionally, tarantism involved an exorcism ritual focused on an individual, whereas neo-tarantism involves communal dancing to faster-paced music with varied instrumentation. While the music and performance have evolved, neo-tarantism still aims to provide a cathartic release through prolonged dancing and exposure to music and crowds.

    Original Description:

    f

    Original Title

    Neo Tarantism

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Neo-tarantism is a modern revival of the traditional tarantism ritual practiced in southern Italy. Some key differences between the two are that tarantism was practiced only by struggling farmers in the 1950s-1960s, while neo-tarantism has a more global following. Additionally, tarantism involved an exorcism ritual focused on an individual, whereas neo-tarantism involves communal dancing to faster-paced music with varied instrumentation. While the music and performance have evolved, neo-tarantism still aims to provide a cathartic release through prolonged dancing and exposure to music and crowds.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    29 views2 pages

    Neo-Tarantism vs Traditional Tarantism

    Uploaded by

    Kairi Sameshima
    Neo-tarantism is a modern revival of the traditional tarantism ritual practiced in southern Italy. Some key differences between the two are that tarantism was practiced only by struggling farmers in the 1950s-1960s, while neo-tarantism has a more global following. Additionally, tarantism involved an exorcism ritual focused on an individual, whereas neo-tarantism involves communal dancing to faster-paced music with varied instrumentation. While the music and performance have evolved, neo-tarantism still aims to provide a cathartic release through prolonged dancing and exposure to music and crowds.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 2

    KairiSameshima

    Cipani

    NeoTarantism
    Oneofthekeydifferencesbetweentarantismanditsmoderncounterpart,
    neotarantism,isthedifferentsocioeconomicaspectspeopleface.From
    19501960'swhentarantismwasreachingitsfinalyears,thetraditionalformwas
    onlypracticedbystrugglingpoorfarmersingreekSalento.AstheessaybyDaboo
    states,tarantismdiedoutquicklyinthemidnineteenthcenturybecauseitharkened
    backtoatimeofgreatsufferingandshame.Thisassociationstemsfromthe
    tarantelladancebeingperformedbypoorwomenwhohadnoothermeansof
    expressingthemselves.Thedancewasheldinaverydifferentregardthanitis
    today.ForthesepoorSalentianwomen,thetarantapizzicawasseenasakey
    opportunitytoexpresstheselfthroughmovementsofthebody.Formanyofthese
    women,theritualhadbecomeayearlytradition,requiringtheiralreadystruggling
    familytousetheirresourcestofundmusicians.Thetraditionaltarantulaexorcism
    occurredmostofteninsmalltownswithtightknitcommunitiesandhiredmusicians.
    Inpreparation,severalsacreditemswouldbeplacedintheroom,andthetarantati
    woulddressinaspecialmanner.Throughouttheritualprocessseveraldifferent
    variationsofthepizzicawouldplay,inordertodiscoverthetemperamentofthe
    tarantati.Oncefound,theywouldcontorttheirbodiesinacycleofchoreographed
    movementsthatfirstrepresentthespider,andfinallystompingandkillingtheanimal.
    Neotarantismcouldbeunderstoodasarevivaloftarantella'scathartic
    process,butnotparticularlytheexorcismofthetarantulabite.Forperiodoffiftyorso

    years,tarantellahaddiedoutbecauseitremindedpeopleofapreindustrialItaly,and
    itcarriedwithitnotionsofshame.Neotarantismismoreofacelebrationand
    continuationofthetraditionofit'spredecessor.Neotarantismisbynomeansa
    recreationoftheritualperformedinthefifties.Thepaceandtempoismuchfaster
    todayandtheinstrumentationvariesmore.Thenewinstrumentationisduetomany
    ofthenewgenresofmusicfindingitswayintoneotarantism.Forexample,many
    modernneotarantellaartistsincludeelementsofreggaeandeventechnointheir
    music.Theperformanceitselfisnolongercenteredonaninflictedindividualbutan
    entirecrowdinstead.Whilethemusicmayhaveevolvedintothisnewform,the
    pizzicastillinvokesboutsofcatharticdancingthroughprolongedexposuretomusic,
    crowds,anddrugs.Bybeingembracedbyyoutharoundtheworld,neotarantism
    hasbeenfreedofitsconnectionstosufferingbecauseithasbecomeamore
    dynamicandnebulousglobalimage.

    You might also like