TARANTATA PIZZICA

The ‘tarantola’ or ‘taranta’ is a venomous spider local to the region, which stuns its victims with a sharp bite. The poison enters the bloodstream and affects the psychomotor neurones creating violent spasms for the sufferer, along with muscle rigidity similar to those seen during an epileptic seizure. The bite and poison, does not end in the death of the affected person. It has, however, over the centuries, become interpreted by pagan and Christian symbolism and is seen as a frustration, economic, social and sexual, similar to a personal crisis – mainly affecting women. When a woman was ‘bitten’ she was not marginalized by the local society but rather, accepted in public and this acceptance was emphasised when St Paul, the protector of the tarante was bitten and overcame the bite, through his faith. Symbolically, the spider represents Gaia, Mother Earth, and this was the church’s way to bring this strong representation of pagan belief under the auspices of the Catholic Church. It is said that the earth, the spider and the tambourine echo the primordial beat of the planet down the centuries. In Puglia, the Tarantismo was born during the medieval ages and, due to the active participation and belief of the local population in its ritual form in the 1700’s has remained a strong tradition to this day. The performance mainly takes place during the feast of St Peter and St Paul, when sheets are laid on the pavements and on the corner of the sheet is a box to accept offerings for the saints. The dance is accompanied by the tambourine, which has its own distinctive sound. There is a percussion base and a sort of ordered chaos. The dance takes the form of a circular roll on the sheet in an elemental movement to the beat of the pizzica.

PIZZICA DE CORE (OF THE HEART)

This music and dance brings together all the representations of love, eroticism and passion that evolve during a relationship of the heart. This frenetic dance is first noted in the 19th century and is a variation of the Tarantata Pizzica; a woman dances frenetically to the accompaniment of tambourines and violins, waving a red handkerchief, the colour of passion and with it she points at the person she wants to dance with. When tired of this partner she picks another and then another to dance on her every whim and desire.

THE SWORD DANCE

This dance almost certainly derives from the times when honour and pride were defended by the sword, and the blood feud between families was the norm. However, people also danced with swords during local fairs and markets. It is believed to have started when gypsies came to the markets to sell their goods, and started dancing in time to the pizzica. The dance has over the years, changed and the bloody violence of swords and daggers have now been substituted (though nobody is exactly sure when) by the pointed finger, which represents a knife. The dance itself accurately simulates a duel between adversaries with moves reflecting the classic attack and defence moves of a swordfight. The dance is mainly performed on 15th August and continues until sunrise the following day in front of the sanctuary of St Rocco at Torrepaduli, Ruffano.

THE NIGHT OF THE TARANTA

The exorcism of the taranta’s bite continues to this day and remains a fascinating spectacle. There are many in Salento, tourists and local populace alike, who come to watch the performance of the taranta to the pizzica pizzica music, which culminates in the Night of the Taranta. This is held in Melpignano every year on the 17th August near the convent, which provides a magnificent backdrop to the whole event. Over the last few years this has become one of the most visited events of the area. In 1998, it was decided to turn the event into a larger local folk festival with showcasing for newer contemporary artists. The taranta or tarantola, a venomous animal with a vicious bite, is found throughout Salento and the results of the venom manifest, according to Ernesto De Matino, with extreme psychological and physiological disturbance leading to unconsciousness. For many visitors this is an event not to be missed in the summer calendar. The administrators of the local Greek communities decided to advertise this and bring it to both national and international awareness, in the hope of attracting more tourists. On the last evening more than 50,000 people attend the event noted for its lack of violence and aggression. Over the last few years the event has been broadcast locally and nationally exporting Salento culture worldwide.