The last tarantula: Dances and rituals in South Italy

Tarantism, a phenomenon extensively studied in Southern Italy, finds its last stronghold of manifestation in the region of the Salerno province. The phenomenon is documented by the late anthropologist Annabella Rossi, who dedicated research collecting about fifty testimonies recorded between Capaccio, Trentinara, and other towns in the Salerno hinterland. The other tarantula, thirty years after those studies, aims to draw attention back to the historical facts by transporting the reader into the allure of the mystery surrounding the spider bite known as tarantism. Through a historical and anthropological perspective, the narrative extends to the present day, highlighting aspects of the phenomenon that are still unknown and can engage not only with contemporary art but also with recent therapeutic approaches.Praise for The last tarantulaA product of passion and dedication, as well as a desire to reclaim the traditions of one's homeland, The last tarantula is a book with a popular approach and, simultaneously, a precious work for enthusiasts of traditional dances who will undoubtedly find numerous research insights within its pages.- Salvatore EspositoJournalist for the magazine BlogfolkThrough dance, the redemption of the South.- Nicola SalatiJournalist for the magazine La CittàGiving voice back to a tale that has been “forgotten”. Reclaiming one's land - values, traditions, music, and dance - through research is a journey of the soul.- Ester IppolitoJournalist for the magazine Ballare ViaggiandoTullia Conte is engaged in the study and teaching of traditional dance. As an educator, she has incorporated dance into various contexts, including workshops with children and adults, as well as the creation and staging of performances. Having served as the director of a theater in Italy for two years, she currently resides in Paris. Her French publications include "La dernière tarentule: danses et rituels dans le sud de l'Italie," published in Italian as "L'altra taranta - Annabella Rossi e il tarantismo nel Cilento" (Ed. Sudanzare 2019). She is also the author of "Diacronia minima del tarantismo" (Ed. Sudanzare 2020), a work dedicated to the phenomenon throughout the Italian territory. Read more