Page 89 - Reptiles & Dinosaurs (Britannica Illustrated Science Library)

84 HUMANS AND REPTILES

Enchanted

Snakes

obras, as well as vipers and boas (to a lesser degree), are
the object of the fascinating performances of snake
C charmers. In Asia—especially India—snake charmers carry A FAMILY TRADITION
out a very dramatic performance that has been repeated since The practice of snake
charming is passed from
ancient times. Snake charming has since spread all the way to the fathers to sons. In
Mediterranean coast of Africa. The technique of enchanting snakes Bangladesh, charmers
requires a knowledge of their weaknesses. For example, it is the even form their own
community; most are of
movement of the flute, not its actual sound, to which they respond. Bedey ethnicity.

A Historical Practice
Revered since antiquity, the
charming of snakes is a
tradition that had its golden age
during the period of imperial
expansion, when the West
colonized the East. Snake FLUTE
charmers were considered exotic, Its movement, not its
and they traveled the world and sound, enchants the
performed at fairs in large cities. snake. Cobras, like all
They became veritable snakes, are deaf.
ambassadors of the East.

LOW ACTIVITY
The basket is kept in the SNAKES
How They Do It shadows. This causes the Cobras are usually used, but
snakes to be less active, vipers and even boas can serve
because they are not being as alternatives.
warmed by the sun.
Snake charmers assume
a crouching position for Cobras
the performance. The flute is
called a been Unlike vipers, cobras are not
or a pungi. capable of striking from a coiled
position. This keeps them from
attacking beyond the reach of the
The snakes extended portion of their bodies.
appear. The
cobras
dance.
1/3 of the
snake's body
1 CALL
The flute is brought closer to the Coiled
basket to call the cobra. Location is Cobra
key. A cobra cannot reach beyond the
portion of its body that is elevated.

India Sanctions
2 EXIT
Snake Charming The movement of the flute incites 3 DANCE
the cobra to extend its body. At the moment of greatest bodily
In 2004, snake charmers in India were
able to resume their jobs after having extension, the cobra performs a dance 1/3 of its Body
that climaxes with the snake charmer
been accused of mistreating their animals
during their shows. kissing it on the top of its head.