
- 224 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
For centuries, the rite of the tarantula was the only cure for those 'bitten' or 'possessed' by the mythic Apulian spider. Its victims had to dance to the local tarantella or 'pizzica' for days on end. Today, the pizzica has returned to the limelight, bringing to the forefront issues of performance, gender, identity and well-being. This book explores how and why the pizzica has boomed in the Salento and elsewhere and asks whether this current popu- larity has anything to do with the historic ritual of tarantism or with the intention of recovering well-being. While personal stories and experiences may confirm the latter, a vital shift has appeared in the Salento: from the confrontation of life crises to the vibrant promotion and celebration of a local sense of identity and celebrity.
Tools to learn more effectively

Saving Books

Keyword Search

Annotating Text

Listen to it instead
Information
Table of contents
- Title page-Dances with Spiders
- Contents
- List of Illustrations
- Acknowledgements
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part I-Past and Present Spider Webs
- CH 1-Seeking St Paul
- CH 2-Webs through Time
- Part II-The Spider's Cult Today
- CH 3-Curing Myths and fictive cures
- CH 4-Ads and antidotes
- CH 5-Sensing Identities and Well-being
- Part III-From Ritual to Limelight
- CH 6-Spider WoMen transfixed
- CH 7-Tarantula threads and showbiz airs
- CH 8-Spider WoMen transformed
- Part IV-Conclusion
- CH 9-Dancing Beyond Spiders
- Epilogue
- Bibliography
- Filmography
- Index
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app