| So let's talk about the seemingly dying breed of | | | | his shoulder on a long pole. When he finds the |
| snake charmers. Exactly where did they come from? | | | | perfect spot he will sit down in front of his basket |
| How did they become charmers of snakes and how | | | | cross his legs and wait for the appropriate time to |
| do they do what they do? | | | | remove the lid. |
| It is said that the Guru of Snake Charmers taught | | | | Having removed the lid from the basket he begins his |
| people to revere Reptiles rather than be afraid of | | | | ritual. The Charmer makes music with his flute and |
| them and that the art of charming snakes emerged | | | | presto as if he has heard the music the snake will |
| from those who were in the business of treating | | | | come up out of the basket; if by chance it is a Cobra |
| people for snake bites. Those who sought to follow | | | | it will extend its hood and begin to sway to the |
| in the Guru's footsteps were trained as to how to | | | | music as if being hypnotized by the Charmer. All who |
| properly handle a snake and what to administer for | | | | see this dangerous show being carried out before |
| Snake bites. These healers as they were called, also | | | | their very eyes are in awe; they applaud and reward |
| removed snakes from people's homes and became | | | | the snake charmer. |
| known for their healing abilities and the ease with | | | | How can this not be real? Well according to well |
| which they handled snakes. | | | | informed sources a snake is in his comfort zone |
| It is this ease these healers had with snakes that | | | | when kept in the dark; shed some light and he is |
| ushered in the era of Snake Charmers. The general | | | | startled into emerging from his den. As for why he |
| belief is that the art of snake charming originated in | | | | will sway to the music and act hypnotized; well it is |
| Egypt and this is given creditability from the account | | | | one or a combination of things. The snake will react |
| of a showdown between a kings, sorcerers, and a | | | | to the movement of the flute, the vibration of the |
| man named Moses. But scholars hold that snake | | | | flute or to the patting of the charmers feet. |
| charming as we know it today probably originated in | | | | You are saying but what about the music? I hate to |
| India. It is here we find the fine points of Snake | | | | burst your bubble but the snake cannot hear it! I |
| Charming being defended as a family business. | | | | know you want to remind me that the snake |
| Dressed in traditional attire, having long hair wrapped | | | | retreats when the music stops; pay attention when |
| in a turban, wearing beads and earrings our snake | | | | the Charmer stops all motion the snake will retreat. |
| charmer sets out to find his audience. He carries his | | | | Finally snakes by nature are timid creatures and |
| snake or snakes in a basket that is suspended over | | | | prefer to scare off their opponents rather than fight. |