In 1021, an early epidemic of choreomania, or compulsive public dancing, broke out in Kölbigk, Germany, known as St. John's Eve Chorea. A group of people was reported to have danced uncontrollably around a churchyard, reflecting the social and religious tensions of the time. This phenomenon highlights the intersection of culture, religion, and mental health in medieval society, prompting discussions about the nature of such mass movements.

The St. John's Eve Chorea and the outbreak of dance mania in 1021 inspired numerous medieval miracle plays and folk poems. These works often depicted themes of divine retribution and demonic possession, popularizing the archetype of the 'damned dancer' in regional German lore.