India: Snake charmers seek alternate livelihood

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Snake charmers seek alternate livelihood

 

Swathi Thiyagarajan

 

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Saturday, December 16, 2006 (New Delhi):

 

Saperas or snake charmers of north India will stage a performance in

Delhi to highlight their need for rehabilitation by the government.

 

They are seeking alternate livelihood as helpers in zoos, snake

rescue volunteers and for the extraction of venom.

 

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit has been invited to the

performance at India Habitat Centre where the charmers are expected

to give petitions to her.

 

They belong to Joginath community - as it is known - and their

performance is aimed at drawing attention to the threat to their

tradition and livelihood.

 

Illegal activity

 

Snake charmers live with the snakes they capture and use them for

display and performances - which is illegal. Many of them have been

arrested and their snakes seized.

 

They have no other form of income and are quite willing to change

their lifestyles if they can find another way to live that will not

strip them of their traditions.

 

" We took the training because we want to be able to work with snakes

in zoos. We are open to rescue centres and other ways as we don't

lose that [tradition], " Sathpal Nath of Sarprakshak Committee said.

 

The music they play is hundreds of years old and the instruments are

handed down through the families.

 

Many of them revere the snake and they expert trackers and have

tremendous knowledge of them. They also specialise in herbs and

traditional medicines for snakebites and several other ailments.

 

They are hoping that this concert directed by theatre heavy weight

Royston Abel will bring their music into popular attention and

enable further performances - which is one way for them to earn an

alternate livelihood.

 

There are about 3000 snake charmers in the north and west of India

and most of them live in poverty.

 

Separately, conservationists are worried that endangered species may

land with them, as their treatment of snakes is often cruel, despite

being good handlers.