The Neapolitan Tarantella is a traditional dance belonging to the much larger family of the southern Tarantella; in Naples it is known as tammurriata so as to distinguish itself from the other ethnic dances of southern Italy.

Neapolitan Tararantella: origins and differences from other southern tarantellas

The Neapolitan tarantella is the most famous ethnic dance in Campania. What distinguishes the Neapolitan tarantella from the other tarantellas of southern Italy is that it is based on a rigidly binary rhythm, guided by the drum called "tammorra". The dance should also be performed exclusively in pairs, and is based on the use of castanets, one of the parts of the body most used during the dance are the arms. But the Neapolitan tarantella is not only different from other tarantella of southern Italy, there are differences in style within the area of Campania itself. In fact, there is no single rhythmic and artistic form of such a dance, some peculiar characteristics help us to understand the various differences and declinations of the dance.

Neapolitan Tarantella: local differences

The tarantella therefore has different styles, each style is rooted in a particular territory and characterizes its cultural identity. The first form of tarantella that we analyze is the Giuglianese tarantella. This tarantella is characterized by a musical style that prefers not only tammorre, simple rhythms and voice, but also a characteristic flute called "Sisco", from which also derives the name of "Siscariata". The dance is a couple dance and is characterized by continuous vaulting. The Vesuvian-Sarnese tarantella instead is characterized by a large number of players and numerous instruments, often there is also the accordion. Another characteristic of this form of tarantella is the presence of choral songs. Tarantella nocerina, on the other hand, has a much more decisive part in the use of the body, such as pelvic movements, bending on the legs or intense arm movements. Finally we have the style of the tarantella of the Amalfi Coast. This style varies from the others essentially by the rhythm that is composed of triplets. In this form of tarantella there are all the traditional instruments, such as the accordion.