Pizzica Dance

TANGO ARGENTINO
Eventi e Vacanze Tango

 

Pizzica… Salento Tarantella because dancing is good !

Come back
TaRanTango
the most anticipated
gathering of the year

pizzica festa

TaRAnTango
Castro Marina
Italia

pizzica tamburelista

pizzica_teacher Serena d'amato

Like all popular traditions, the pizzica and the Salento tarantella have lived through history, many stories to tell

The pizzica in particular was born and developed from a religious and therapeutic phenomenon since ancient times in which in Italy pagan gods were still worshiped and cultural traditions closely linked to the rhythms of peasant life were followed

In fact, the hypnotic music and the frenetic rhythm of the pizzica had a precise exorcistic function, because it was used as a cure for the so-called "tarantolate" those women suffering from a sort of psychological and existential malaise which in its symptomatic manifestations was expressed in forms very similar to hysterical convulsions and insanity. In ancient times it was believed that the cause of this form of "madness" was to be attributed to the bite of a very common spider in the countryside of southern Italy, the tarantula, and that the convulsions and loss of knowledge of women was the sign of a form of poisoning caused by spider bite.

In reality, the bite of the spider today is considered a legendary trait, and the symptomatology of tarantolate is rather attributed to very dramatic manifestations of discomfort especially of the female population, so subordinate and submissive in the peasant culture of the past. Currently, the practice of exorcism of the tarantula bite through dance has almost disappeared, although examples of this use still remain. The stories of the past tell that after the bite of the tarantula, the person fell into a state of shock from which only the music could awaken him; the person danced and specialized musicians played for her until she could cancel the effect of the poison. This represented a collective moment during which we were estranged from the constraints and moral rules of the community, a sort of liberating moment in which the whole population participated.

The pizzica pizzica is a lively dance for couples, widespread until the last war and appears as a term in the sources only at the end of the eighteenth century. Today it lives for the most part in the memory of the elderly of Salento, and provides in the dances characteristic movements very linked to the sense of circularity also highlighted by the patrol itself. If you think of the pizzica danced in the village festivals and festivals, the patrol with its musicians and drummers characterizes the whole square, concentrating all the attention: it is not just a side dish, but it is the chosen place for the dance, it is the space par excellence. This is why in the various events in the square, but also in those performed during private parties such as baptisms and weddings, the patrol is always there and contributes to the rediscovery of traditional Salento folklore and culture.

The pizzica or fencing dance involves a dance between men only, contemplating different ways of shielding, for example by mimicking the knife with the fingers of the hand and with other not easily interpretable gestures. The dancers find themselves tied by rhythm and movement: the bond that is established between them is of an ancestral type and has its roots also in love competition, making dance a challenging moment in which one compares, exhibiting talents. of agility, creativity and physical prowess.

 

 

If you want to move your steps in tango
this summer  or you want to learn
everything about Pizzica.

Attend our next event  Click on this link to see it

pizzica teacher pizzica dance pizzica pizzica dance il ballo della pizzica

pizzica musica pizzica festa

The Taranta Festival and the recovery of tradition Although the therapeutic and curative dimension of pizzica have slowly disappeared, the fact remains that dancing is good for the body and spirit. The charm and beauty of hypnotic and frenetic music has made its way especially in the hearts and minds of young people, who, especially in Salento, have been able to recover a cultural and musical tradition that was in danger of disappearing. A striking example of this recovery is certainly the traveling festival held every year in the most beautiful villages of Salento and culminates in Melpignano, during La Notte della Taranta. A festival that has quickly become one of the most important events from a musical, social and cultural point of view for the recovery of popular tradition, but also for the contaminations and innovations that the renewed interest in pizzica has generated in recent years, attracting numerous internationally renowned artists involved in the most anticipated musical event of the summer.

pizzica_ballo_3.jpeg pizzica_ballo_4.jpeg


Experience and dance Tango worldwide
Discover the best milongas and favorite destinations for Tango fans, all over the world.
bsas_pasqua_600x600.jpeg 

 Viaggia in Argentina a Pasqua per conoscere la sua capitale BUENOS AIRES...
una metropoli che non dorme mai... facendoti trasportare dal ritmo struggente del TANGO!


30 March - 9 April 2023
EASTER TANGO IN BUENOS AIRES TANGO TOUR
Tango in Argentina, Fill up on Tango with a Holiday in the legendary Buenos Aires. Travel with us during Holy Week and Dance in the Global Mecca of Argentine Tango. In April, Tango is danced in Buenos Aires
ischiaparty_home.jpeg
Un weekend intensivo nel Ponte del 1 Maggio in cui vivremo momenti magici
con gli artisti della compagnia di Tango Pasion
Adrian Aragon e Erica Boaglio 

28th-1st May 2023
ISCHIA TANGO PARTY TANGO AND SPA
July 10-17 2023
TARANTANGO-TANGO IN JULY ITALY
Salento 2023, TARANTANGO, Seafront hotel in the center of the magnificent Castro Marina for an entire Week of July in the extreme South of Italy for a Tango Holiday full of Dancing and non-stop Fun
2nd-6th August 2023
ISCHIA TANGO MEETING-TANGO HOLIDAY
8-13 August 2023
TANGO AND SWING
Tango & Swing the cheerful proposal that was missing in August, ideal for having fun with many Lovers of Music and Dance
August 23-27
BUENA ONDA TANGO AND SEA-TANGO IN AUGUST
September 1 - 8
TANGO IN SALENTO-SEPTEMBER
Tango in Salento. Dance Tango in a Unique and Exclusive place facing the Sea, away from the Crowds at the Best time of the Year. Reserve your Place
Dancing Tango in Rome
Discover the Tango Allegria event closest to you.
EL TANGO QUE FALTABA - CD WITH TANGO DANCE MUSIC
El Tango que Faltaba Tango Cd, with tango dance music was created in Buenos Aires with modern tango and tango song, dedicated to all tango dancers and fans
LISTEN THE NEW CD OF FERNANDO
Our Community
Join our group and make new friends around the world.
Video
Corsi
Tango and not only Tango
Discover new passions organised by our Tango friends.
PIZZICA DANCE
Pizzica and the Salento tarantella have experienced many stories to tell over the course of history
5 FEBRUARY 2023 TANGOZEN CON CHAN PARK