Snake charming

Last updated

Snake charmer in Jaipur (India) in 2007 Charmeur de serpents a Jaipur (2).JPG
Snake charmer in Jaipur (India) in 2007

Snake charming is the practice of appearing to hypnotize a snake (often a cobra) by playing and waving around an instrument called a pungi. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other street performance staples, like juggling and sleight of hand. The practice was historically the profession of some tribesmen in India well into the 20th century but snake charming declined rapidly after the government banned the practice in 1972. [1] [2] Snake-charmer performances still happen in other Asian nations such as Pakistan, [3] Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. The tradition is also practiced in North African countries of Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Contents

Ancient Egypt was home to one form of snake charming, though the practice as it exists today likely arose in India.[ citation needed ] It eventually spread throughout South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Despite a sort of golden age in the 20th century, snake charming is today dying out. This is due to a variety of factors, chief among them is the enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India banning ownership of snakes. In retaliation, snake charmers have organized in recent years, protesting the loss of their only means of livelihood, and the government has made some overtures to them. Snake charming is almost extinct in India. [1] [4]

Many snake charmers live a wandering existence, visiting towns and villages on market days and during festivals. During a performance, snake charmers may take a number of precautions. The charmer typically sits out of biting range [5] : 251  and the snake is usually sluggish due to starvation or dehydration and reluctant to attack anyway. More drastic means of protection include removing the reptile's fangs or venom glands, drugging the snake, [5] : 251  or even sewing the snake's mouth shut.[ citation needed ] The most popular species are those native to the snake charmer's home region, typically various kinds of cobras, though vipers and other types are also used.

Although snakes are able to sense sound, they lack the outer ear that would enable them to hear the music. They follow the movement of the charmer and the pungi that the charmer holds with his hands. [5] : 251  The snake considers the person and pungi a threat and responds to it as if it were a predator.

History

"Snakecharmers," a chromolithograph by Alfred Brehm Brehm1883.jpg
"Snakecharmers," a chromolithograph by Alfred Brehm

The earliest evidence for snake charming comes from ancient Egyptian sources. Charmers there mainly acted as magicians and healers. Part of their studies involved learning the various types of snake, the gods to whom they were sacred, and how to treat those who were bitten by the reptiles. Entertainment was also part of their repertoire, and they knew how to handle the animals and charm them for their patrons.[ citation needed ]

One of the earliest records of snake charming appears in the Bible in Psalm 58:3–5: "The wicked turn aside from birth; liars go astray as soon as they are born. Their venom is like that of a snake, like a deaf serpent that does not hear, that does not respond to the magicians, or to a skilled snake-charmer."

Snake charming as it exists today probably originated in India. [6] Hinduism has long held serpents to be sacred; the animals are believed to be related to the Nagas, and many gods are pictured under the protection of the cobra.

The earliest snake charmers may have been traditional healers by trade. As part of their training, they learned to treat snake bites. Some also learned how to handle snakes, and people called on them to remove snakes from their homes. Baba Gulabgir (or Gulabgarnath) became their guru since his legend states that he taught people to revere the reptiles and not fear them.[ citation needed ] The practice eventually spread to nearby regions, ultimately reaching North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Snake Charmers in Kolkata, 1945, by Norman Herfort Snake Charmers in Kolkata, 1945, Norman Herfort slnsw.jpg
Snake Charmers in Kolkata, 1945, by Norman Herfort

The early 20th century proved something of a golden age for snake charmers. Governments promoted the practice to draw tourism, and snake charmers were often sent overseas to perform at cultural festivals and for private patrons. In addition, the charmers provided a valuable source of snake venom for creating antivenins.[ citation needed ]

The practice is no longer legal in India [7] following changes to the Wildlife Protection Act. The law was originally passed in 1972, and aimed at preventing the export of snakeskins, introducing a seven-year prison term for owning or selling snakes. [8] Beginning in the late 1990s, however, the law was also applied to the snake charmers. As a result, Indian charmers were forced to move their performances to less-travelled areas such as small villages or face legal action.

In 2003, hundreds of snake charmers gathered at the temple of Charkhi Dadri in Haryana to bring international attention to their plight. [9] In December of the following year, a group of snake charmers stormed the legislature of the Indian state of Odisha with their demands while brandishing their animals. The Indian government and various animal-rights groups have acknowledged the problem. One suggested solution is to train the performers to be snake handlers, capturing and removing venomous snakes from city and suburban gardens. [10] In return, they could sell their traditional medicines as souvenirs. Another proposal would try to focus attention on the snake charmers' music and treat them like other street musicians.

Performance

Snake charmers in Varanasi, India 2018 Feb 12 - Snake Charmers in Varanasi India.jpg
Snake charmers in Varanasi, India

Snake charmers typically walk the streets holding their serpents in baskets or pots hanging from a bamboo pole slung over the shoulder. Charmers cover these containers with cloths between performances. Dress in India, Pakistan and neighbouring countries is generally the same: long hair, a white turban, earrings, and necklaces of shells or beads. Once the performer finds a satisfactory location to set up, he sets his pots and baskets about him (often with the help of a team of assistants who may be his apprentices) and sits cross-legged on the ground in front of a closed pot or basket. He removes the lid, then begins playing a flute-like instrument made from a gourd, known as a been or pungi . As if drawn by the tune, a snake eventually emerges from the container; if a cobra, it may even extend its hood.

In the Western world snake charming is very different. Western-style snake charmers use pythons and boa constrictors for their performances as they are not venomous. Western-style snake charmers do not use a musical instrument; instead they perform dance routines involving the snakes. [11] These performances may be seen at carnivals, menageries, sideshows, and circuses. [5] : 252 

Snakes

Traditionally, snake charmers use snakes that they have captured themselves in the wild. This task is not too difficult, as most South Asian and North African snakes tend to be slow movers.

The exact species of serpents used varies by region. In India, the Indian cobra is preferred, though some charmers may also use Russell's vipers. Indian and Burmese pythons, and even mangrove snakes are also encountered, though they are not as popular.[ citation needed ] In North Africa, the Egyptian cobra, puff adder, carpet viper and horned desert viper are commonly featured in performances. [12] In the UK, US and Europe pythons and boa constrictors are used to comply with Animal Handling and Animal Welfare Regulations. [11]

Safety measures

At home, snake charmers keep their animals in containers such as baskets, boxes, pots, or sacks.[ citation needed ]

For safety, some North African snake charmers stitch closed the mouth of their performing snakes, leaving just enough opening for the animal to be able to move its tongue in and out. Members of the audience in that region believe that the snake's ability to deliver venomous bites comes from its tongue, rather than fangs. [12] Snakes subjected to this practice soon die of starvation or mouth infection, and must be replaced by freshly caught specimens. [12] Similar methods are used in India, where snakes are defanged and have their venom glands incapacitated. [13] They are then also kept in boxes or bags for 30–45 days and dehydrated so that their muscles cramp (making them sluggish) and so that they will drink the milk offered by devotees at festivals (the milk is undigestible to the snake). [14]

Methods of dealing with the fangs include expert surgical removal of both the fangs and replacement fangs, which has been done by some Native American and African snake charmers. Barring extraordinary measures, pulled fangs are replaced within days. Fangs may also be plugged with wax or other material. [15]

In West Africa, charmers have been observed to treat the snake's body and mouth with herbs that paralyze the jaw muscles and cause inflammation of the venom glands. [15]

Members of the Pakkoku clan of Burma tattoo themselves with ink mixed with cobra venom on their upper body in a weekly inoculation which may protect them from the snake, though there is no scientific evidence of that. [15]

Lifestyle

Snake charming is typically an inherited profession. Most would-be charmers thus begin learning the practice at a young age from their fathers. Members of the Sapera or Sapuakela castes, snake charmers have little other choice of profession. In fact, entire settlements of snake charmers and their families exist in some parts of India and neighbouring countries.[ citation needed ] In Bangladesh, snake charmers are typically members of the nomadic ethnic group Bede. They tend to live by rivers and use them to boat to different towns on market days and during festivals.

North African charmers usually set up in open-air markets and souks for their performances. In coastal resort towns and near major tourist destinations one can see snake charmers catering to the tourist market, but in most of the region they perform for the local audiences; an important part of their income comes from selling pamphlets containing various magic spells (in particular, of course, against snake bites). [12]

In previous eras, snake charming was often the charmer's only source of income. This is less true today, as many charmers also scavenge, scrounge, sell items such as amulets and jewelry, or perform at private parties to make ends meet. Snake charmers are often regarded as traditional healers and magicians, as well, especially in rural areas. These charmers concoct and sell all manner of potions and unguents that purportedly do anything from curing the common cold to raising the dead. Villagers and city dwellers alike often call on them to rid of snakes in houses.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake</span> Limbless, scaly, elongate reptile

Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints than their lizard ancestors, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads. To accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes' paired organs appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and most have only one functional lung. Some species retain a pelvic girdle with a pair of vestigial claws on either side of the cloaca. Lizards have independently evolved elongate bodies without limbs or with greatly reduced limbs at least twenty-five times via convergent evolution, leading to many lineages of legless lizards. These resemble snakes, but several common groups of legless lizards have eyelids and external ears, which snakes lack, although this rule is not universal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King cobra</span> Venomous snake species from Asia

The king cobra is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. The sole member of the genus Ophiophagus, it is not taxonomically a true cobra, despite its common name and some resemblance. With an average length of 3.18 to 4 m and a record length of 5.85 m (19.2 ft), it is the world's longest venomous snake. The species has diversified colouration across habitats, from black with white stripes to unbroken brownish grey. The king cobra is widely distributed albeit not commonly seen, with a range spanning from the Indian Subcontinent through Southeastern Asia to Southern China. It preys chiefly on other snakes, including those of its own kind. This is the only ophidian that constructs an above-ground nest for its eggs, which are purposefully and meticulously gathered and protected by the female throughout the incubation period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elapidae</span> Family of venomous snakes

Elapidae is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydocephalus. Many members of this family exhibit a threat display of rearing upwards while spreading out a neck flap. Elapids are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, with terrestrial forms in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas and marine forms in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Members of the family have a wide range of sizes, from the 18 cm (7.1 in) white-lipped snake to the 5.85 m king cobra. Most species have neurotoxic venom that is channeled by their hollow fangs, and some may contain other toxic components in various proportions. The family includes 55 genera with around 360 species and over 170 subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pungi</span> Wind instrument originating from the Indian subcontinent

The pungi, bīn or Murli is a musical instrument that originates from the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a reservoir into which air is blown and then channelled into two reed pipes. It is played with no pauses, as the player employs circular breathing. In street performances, the pungi is used for snake charming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viperidae</span> Family of snakes

The Viperidae (vipers) are a family of snakes found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, New Zealand, Ireland, and various other isolated islands. They are venomous and have long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of their venom. Three subfamilies are currently recognized. They are also known as viperids. The name "viper" is derived from the Latin word vipera, -ae, also meaning viper, possibly from vivus ("living") and parere, referring to the trait viviparity common in vipers like most of the species of Boidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snakebite</span> Injury caused by bite from snakes

A snakebite is an injury caused by the bite of a snake, especially a venomous snake. A common sign of a bite from a venomous snake is the presence of two puncture wounds from the animal's fangs. Sometimes venom injection from the bite may occur. This may result in redness, swelling, and severe pain at the area, which may take up to an hour to appear. Vomiting, blurred vision, tingling of the limbs, and sweating may result. Most bites are on the hands, arms, or legs. Fear following a bite is common with symptoms of a racing heart and feeling faint. The venom may cause bleeding, kidney failure, a severe allergic reaction, tissue death around the bite, or breathing problems. Bites may result in the loss of a limb or other chronic problems or even death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake venom</span> Highly modified saliva containing zootoxins

Snake venom is a highly toxic saliva containing zootoxins that facilitates in the immobilization and digestion of prey. This also provides defense against threats. Snake venom is injected by unique fangs during a bite, whereas some species are also able to spit venom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaboon viper</span> Species of snake

The Gaboon viper, also called the Gaboon adder, is a viper species found in the rainforests and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like all other vipers, it is venomous. It is the largest member of the genus Bitis, and has the longest fangs of any venomous snake – up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length – and the highest venom yield of any snake. No subspecies are recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophiophagy</span> Feeding by hunting and eating snakes

Ophiophagy is a specialized form of feeding or alimentary behavior of animals which hunt and eat snakes. There are ophiophagous mammals, birds, lizards, and even other snakes, such as the Central and South American mussuranas and the North American common kingsnake. The venomous king cobra is also named for this habit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell's viper</span> Species of venomous snake

Russell's viper is a highly venomous snake in the family Viperidae native to the Indian subcontinent and one of the big four snakes in India. It was described in 1797 by George Shaw and Frederick Polydore Nodder, and named after Patrick Russell, who wrote about it in his 1796 work An account of Indian serpents, collected on the coast of Coromandel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Envenomation</span> Process of venom injection

Envenomation is the process by which venom is injected by the bite or sting of a venomous animal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toxicofera</span> Proposed clade of scaled reptiles

Toxicofera is a proposed clade of scaled reptiles (squamates) that includes the Serpentes (snakes), Anguimorpha and Iguania. Toxicofera contains about 4,600 species, of extant Squamata. It encompasses all venomous reptile species, as well as numerous related non-venomous species. There is little morphological evidence to support this grouping; however, it has been recovered by all molecular analyses as of 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian cobra</span> Species of snake

The Indian cobra, also known commonly as the spectacled cobra, Asian cobra, or binocellate cobra, is a species of cobra, a venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is a member of the "big four" species that are responsible for the most snakebite cases in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venomous snake</span> Species of the suborder Serpentes that produce venom

Venomous snakes are species of the suborder Serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The venom is typically delivered by injection using hollow or grooved fangs, although some venomous snakes lack well-developed fangs. Common venomous snakes include the families Elapidae, Viperidae, Atractaspididae, and some of the Colubridae. The toxicity of venom is mainly indicated by murine LD50, while multiple factors are considered to judge the potential danger to humans. Other important factors for risk assessment include the likelihood that a snake will bite, the quantity of venom delivered with the bite, the efficiency of the delivery mechanism, and the location of a bite on the body of the victim. Snake venom may have both neurotoxic and hemotoxic properties. There are about 600 venomous snake species in the world.

<i>Naja</i> Genus of snakes

Naja is a genus of venomous elapid snakes commonly known as cobras. Members of the genus Naja are the most widespread and the most widely recognized as "true" cobras. Various species occur in regions throughout Africa, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Several other elapid species are also called "cobras", such as the king cobra and the rinkhals, but neither is a true cobra, in that they do not belong to the genus Naja, but instead each belong to monotypic genera Hemachatus and Ophiophagus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalbelia</span> Dance from Rajasthan, India

The Kalbelia are a snake charming tribe from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. The dance is an integral part of their culture and performed by men and women.

The Chennai Snake Park, officially the Chennai Snake Park Trust, is a not-for-profit NGO constituted in 1972 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker and is India's first reptile park. Also known as the Guindy Snake Park, it is located next to the Children's Park in the Guindy National Park campus. Located on the former home of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, the park is home to a wide range of snakes such as adders, pythons, vipers, cobras and other reptiles. The park gained statutory recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epidemiology of snakebites</span>

Most snakebites are caused by non-venomous snakes. Of the roughly 3,700 known species of snake found worldwide, only 15% are considered dangerous to humans. Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are two major families of venomous snakes, Elapidae and Viperidae. 325 species in 61 genera are recognized in the family Elapidae and 224 species in 22 genera are recognized in the family Viperidae, In addition, the most diverse and widely distributed snake family, the colubrids, has approximately 700 venomous species, but only five genera—boomslangs, twig snakes, keelback snakes, green snakes, and slender snakes—have caused human fatalities.

References

  1. 1 2 Chandra, Sharmila (12 November 2013). "India's snake-charmers sway on the edge of extinction A traditional art form faces extinction". India Today. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  2. ↑ Harding, Luke (2 April 2002). "Snake tricks lose their charm". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Amtul Jamil (21–27 December 2012), "Snakes and charmers", The Friday Times, vol. XXIV, no. 45. Umerkot is one of the centers of the craft in Pakistan.
  4. ↑ Harding, Luke (2 April 2002). "Snakes tricks lose their charm". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Nickell, Joe (2005). Secrets of the sideshows. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN   0-8131-7179-2. OCLC   65377460.
  6. ↑ Powell, Michael; Forbeck, Matt (18 December 2012). The Most Forbidden Knowledge: 151 Things NO ONE Should Know How to Do. Adams Media. ISBN   978-1440560934.
  7. ↑ "India's Snake Charmers Work Around Ban", NPR, 14 July 2004
  8. ↑ "India snake charmers have identity crisis". Los Angeles Times. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  9. ↑ Bezbaruah, Supriya (17 November 2003). "Snake charmers' panchayat demand alternative as govt declare art illegal". India Today. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "In India, Snake Charmers Are Losing Their Sway". NPR.org. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  11. 1 2 Patterson, Alice. "Everything You Need To Know About Snake Charming". Oddle Entertainment Agency. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Highfield, Andy C. and Bayley, Jane R. "Folklore, Myth, and Exploitation of snakes in Morocco and Tunisia". Tortoisetrust.org. Section "Snakes".
  13. ↑ Frederic Friedel (2016). "The snake charmer's deadly secret".
  14. ↑ "Truth behind Nag Panchami". 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 John C. Murphy (2010). Secrets of the Snake Charmer: Snakes in the 21st Century. iUniverse. ISBN   9781450221276.
  16. ↑ "Serpent Charmers". Wesleyan Juvenile Offering. XXII. London: Wesleyan Mission House: 161. November 1865.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.