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Snake charmers will need to reconvert  email this discussion to a friend?

myLot reputation of 58/100. Thomas73 (598) 6 years ago

Indian snake charmers are finding themselves out of work and playing their flutes at weddings and festivals after pressure from animal rights groups called for a ban of their original activity.

The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prohibits hunting or keeping snakes, but was widely ignored by the charmers who used to make a living out of attracting tourists in states such as Rajasthan.

However, growing environmental awareness has forced the authorities to monitor more closely those who hunt and use snakes to make a living, including men who use music to make them dance for money.

Most of the time, the charmers live in run-down areas on the outskirts of cities, where generations have learned to master this ancient art. At the best of times, snake charming is not a profitable profession and the hunting ban has made it even more difficult.

Snake charmers are now hardly earning half of what they used to earn before the ban was enforced. Many are going to the larger cities and most of their children do not want to take up this kind of profession.

Some snake-charmers travel to the U.K. and the Middle East to put on special wedding or birthday party shows. Other charmers have are also now working at animal centres and forestry offices, educating visitors about their reptiles, which appear in Hindu texts and are widely worshipped. Lord Shiva, a major deity, is often depicted with a snake around his neck.

Most charmers use cobras, one of India's endangered reptiles. The earliest Indian snake charmers were healers who learned the art of treating snakebites and were called on to remove snakes from homes. The practice blossomed in the 20th century as it was promoted as a practice to draw tourists.

Many Indians have been living with snakes for generations. They have provided them with food and they are considered a very important element of their lives. Some even think of them to be their protectors.

It would be interesting to hear from the myLot community, mostly from those who live in India, what their take on this is. An ancient tradition and a way to earn a living have been taken away in the name of so-called "environmental protection" and I find it personally quite sad.

Any comments?

 

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tags:  animals, animal cruelty, animal rescue, animal rights, earning a living
 
1. myLot reputation of 88/100. megs85 (1269)   6 years ago

Snake "charmers" pluck the cobras teeth out- a practice I find cruel and barbaric. This is one of the main reasons I disagree with "snake charming". I also disapprove of circus and zoo animals- I dont think its fair to command an animal to "perform" for our entertainment. I certainly wouldnt do it.

Im sorry people are losing their jobs, but as far as Im concerned, they should pluck out their own teeth and dance in small cane baskets :P


myLot reputation of 58/100. Thomas73 (598)  6 years ago

I wasn't aware that they were doing that. I thought that the whole 'excitement' provided by their trade was that they were dealing with dangerous snakes.


myLot reputation of 87/100. Vacant (2302)  6 years ago

Is that really so much more cruel than ripping out a cats fingernails?


myLot reputation of 58/100. Thomas73 (598)  6 years ago

Depriving any animal of any part of its anatomy is unacceptable anyway -- and that includes humans too!


myLot reputation of 87/100. Vacant (2302)  6 years ago

I agree, and it's funny all the criticism I endured for not submitting my son to the 'chop shop' when he was born!


myLot reputation of 88/100. megs85 (1269)  6 years ago

I dont agree with docking dogs tails, or anything of the sort.

Or circumcision, my son has been left intact, the way he was made.

Elective surgery, even that for animals is unneccessary and in my eyes WRONG. If a medical condition required a circumcision, or a docking, or a tooth plucking, then so be it, but not just for aesthetic appearance or entertainment.

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2. myLot reputation of 88/100. Melizzy (966)   6 years ago

Now see, I thought that "reputable" snake charmers didn't pluck the teeth, rather, they "milked" the venom that was then used to make the antidote? I guess as with anything it can be distorted and warped and abused. My Eleanor has all of her teeth, her nails and her tail. And believe me, there are times I wish she had none of the three; however, she's my baby and this is the way she was made and I knew that when I got her. The photo is the one from the pound. She looks much better now.


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3. myLot reputation of 72/100. Willowlady (8976)   6 years ago

It is a shame when they were earning an honest wage that they had to be singled out to be harassed. Old ways have a purpose still in this life we all modern. It is quite sad when honest people cannot make an honest buck. Wonder what is next? Shudder to think!!

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