A mysterious disease swept the world in the early 1920s that put people into catatonic states; stiff and immovable like human statues. It was called encephalitis lethargica and it affected over 5 million people worldwide, and then was almost forgotten.
Knowing what we know now, what do you suppose caused this?
The tarantella is a traditional Italian folk dance characterized by lively music and quick, light steps. The dance is often performed by couples, with the women frequently carrying tambourines. The tarantella’s origin is connected to tarantism, a disease or form of hysteria that appeared in Italy in the 15th to 17th centuries and was believed to be cured by frenzied dancing.
The tarantella’s history is shrouded in mystery, with some theories suggesting that it originated from a “Dianic or Dionysiac cult” that was driven underground. Others propose that the Roman Senate suppressed ancient Bacchanalian rites, causing the tarantella to go underground and reappear under the guise of emergency therapy for bite victims.
The dance is believed to have originated in Southern Italy, specifically in the 16th and 17th centuries, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Initially, it was a solo dance used to cure disease, but it later evolved into a dance of courtship.
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To my knowledge the Earliest recorded outbreaks of the Dancing Plague, also known as ‘Dancing Mania’ were in the Holy Roman Empire as early as the 7th century and spread from there.
With cases spreading across the continent.
Was there a fever associated with this illness?
I used to watch "Dance Fever" when I was young. Denny Terio busting out the newest disco moves every weekend!