Snake charming

Snake charming is a traditional performance art that creates the illusion of hypnotizing a serpent. Performers use a flute-like instrument called a pungi, or sometimes a been, to guide the animal. While it looks like the snake is listening to music, snakes actually lack outer ears to hear sound. Instead, the snake tracks the movement of the pungi. The reptile views the moving instrument and the person as a threat. It reacts to the pungi as if it were a predator.

To perform, a charmer typically carries snakes in baskets, pots, or sacks. These containers are often hung from a bamboo pole slung over the shoulder. Once a location is chosen, the performer sits cross-legged on the ground. They may wear a white turban, earrings, and necklaces of beads or shells. The charmer removes the lid of a container and begins playing the pungi. If the snake is a cobra, it may extend its hood as it emerges.

Different regions use different types of snakes for these displays. In India, the Indian cobra is a preferred species, though charmers may also use Russell's vipers. In North Africa, performers often feature the Egyptian cobra, puff adder, or horned desert viper. Western-style performers use different animals entirely. They often use pythons or boa constrictors because these species are not venomous. These Western shows usually involve dance routines rather than musical instruments.

Safety is a major concern during these performances, leading to several controversial methods. Some charmers use venomoid surgery to make the snakes safer. This process involves removing the fangs or incapacitating the venom glands. It can also involve severing the duct between the gland and the fang. In some North African traditions, charmers have stitched a snake's mouth shut. This practice stems from a belief that the tongue delivers the venom. Other methods include drugging the snake or keeping it dehydrated for 30 to 45 days to make it sluggish.

The history of snake charming is very old. The earliest evidence comes from ancient Egypt. There, charmers acted as magicians, healers, and entertainers. They studied snake types and learned how to treat bites. These experts were sometimes employed in the royal courts of Assyria and Persia. Modern snake charming likely originated in India. In Hindu tradition, serpents are considered sacred and are related to the Nagas. Many gods are depicted under the protection of the cobra.

The early 20th century was a golden age for the profession. Governments promoted the practice to attract tourists. Charmers even traveled overseas to perform for private patrons and at festivals. They also provided a valuable source of venom for creating antivenins. However, the practice declined rapidly in India after 1972. The government passed the Wildlife Protection Act to prevent the export of snakeskins. This law included a seven-year prison term for owning or selling snakes.

Today, the profession is changing due to legal restrictions. In India, the practice is almost extinct because of the 1972 ban. Many charmers now live a wandering existence, visiting villages during festivals. Some belong to specific groups, such as the Sapera or Sapuakela castes in India. In Bangladesh, the Bede people often perform by traveling along rivers. Because of the law, many charmers must now sell jewelry, amulets, or magic spells to survive.

There are many ideas for how to support these traditional performers. Some people suggest training charmers to be professional snake handlers. They could help remove venomous snakes from gardens in cities and suburbs. Another idea is to treat charmers as street musicians. This would allow them to focus on their music rather than the animals. Despite the decline, the tradition remains a significant part of the history of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.