Snake Charmers Research Articles

Barriers to the hospital treatment among Bede snake charmers in Bangladesh with special reference to venomous snakebite.

Snakebite envenoming is a potentially life-threatening global public health issue with Bangladesh having one of the highest rates of snakebite cases. The Bede, a nomadic ethnic group in Bangladesh, traditionally engages in snake-related business such as snake charming. The Bede relies on their own ethnomedicinal practitioners for snakebite treatment while there is a lack of concrete evidence on the effectiveness of such ethnomedicinal treatment. To identify the barriers to the utilization of biomedical treatment for snakebite we conducted interviews with 38 Bede snake charmers, who have experienced snakebite, and six family members of those who died of snakebite. Our results show that four critical barriers, Accessibility, Affordability, Availability, and Acceptability (4As), prevented some of the Bede from seeking biomedical treatment. Moreover, we found that a few Bede died of a snakebite every year. There are survivors of snakebite who were able to receive biomedical treatment by overcoming all of the 4As. Our results provide insights into the current state of snakebite treatment in Bangladesh and can inform the development of more effective and accessible treatment options for those affected. Partnership between the public sector and the Bede community has the potential to make a significant impact in reducing snakebite morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh.

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco.

The world-famous markets of Marrakech, also known in Arabic as souks, harbor a vast diversity of reptiles that are sold for medicinal/magic/pet purposes or used for snake charming. This unique epidemiological context has never been studied considering the interactions of humans, reptiles, and zoonotic pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the parasites and pathogens present in blood and feces associated with handled reptiles in the markets of Marrakech to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission within the reptile-human interface. Privately owned reptiles (n = 118), coming from vendors or snake charmers, were examined and blood and feces sampled. DNA was extracted and molecular screening (cPCR, nPCR, qPCR, dqPCR) was performed aiming to identify potentially zoonotic pathogens (i.e., Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp., Cestoda). Overall, 28.9% (34/118) of reptiles were positive for at least one pathogen. In blood, Anaplasma spp. were detected in four snakes, with two Montpellier snakes positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, while Rickettsia spp. were detected in one Mediterranean chameleon and four puff adders. Leishmania tarentolae was molecularly detected in a Mediterranean chameleon and a Montpellier snake. In feces, the cox1 gene generated a myriad of sequences for nematodes, cestodes, fungi and bacteria. Importantly, Proteus vulgaris was identified from a Mediterranean chameleon. Cryptosporidium spp. nPCR yielded a positive sample (i.e., Cryptosporidium sp. apodemus genotype I) from a Moroccan worm lizard, as well as for bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an Egyptian cobra, and Morganella morganii from a puff adder. Results from this study demonstrated the risk of zoonotic transmission of microorganisms and parasites present in blood and feces from reptiles that are brought to the souks in Marrakech, Morocco, to be sold for medicinal purposes or used for snake charming, being in direct and straight contact with humans.

Communal Coexistence in Ancient India

Communal harmony is considered essential in our nation. We are all gathered together to discuss how to establish societal harmony. Our adored motherland, India, is a vast land of culture, civilization, and history. It once served as the birthplace of powerful civilizations. Only a few other civilizations in the world can make the claim of being on par with this one given its long history of more than 5000 years. Geographically, it is a wonderful wonder. The vast Himalayan Mountains, the vast Gangetic Valley, lush green fields, sweltering deserts, densely vegetated woods, perennial rivers, silver sand beaches, the longest coastline areas, diverse wildlife, and flora, etc. are all present in this region. It is the seventh-biggest country in the world and the largest democracy. In terms of population, it is second only to China. Once upon a time, our motherland was referred to as the land of maharajas, snake charmers, temples, and woods. But the truth was very different from how it was described. This research paper seeks and explores to find out any evidential presence of communal harmony during ancient times in India.

START-UP GOVERNANCE: CRUCIAL BUILDING BLOCK FOR SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS

Before 1990, India was considered a country of snake charmers all across the world but the opening of the economy & liberalisation in 1991 gave Indians an opportunity to showcase our talent as “Knowledge Centre” and “IT Experts” to the world. We Indians didn’t miss the Bus and utilised the opportunity by earning name, fame and money for self and country. Now, the whole world is talking about Startups and again, in my opinion, it is an opportunity for us to capitalise further our strengths. We, as a country, can dominate the economy and soft power of the world with innovative, cost efficient and user friendly products & services through our knowledge based start ups. This article discusses these points with case studies.

Fang Under ‘Red Tape’: A Barrier for Underutilisation of Human Resource (Case of Snake Charmers, India)

The vulnerability of human death due to snakebite could (possibly) be countered in the most feasible way of utilising snakes themselves if properly organised. This article attempts to identify an indigenous community (snake charmer) with its inherent expertise for answering a large-scale health issue of snakebite. Existing bureaucratic directives often do barricade such human resources from their proper utilisation through stringent laws and regulations. In the case of a tropical developing country like India, snake charmers may be the capital of captivating the ladder of betterment when governments treat them as assets. Examining snakebite fatality over the globe and gradually zooming into a state level (West Bengal) prone to health hazards, the article sounds true to its venture of showcasing a policy orientation for minimising human deaths and disadvantages. In place of a barrier, ’red tape’ might be acting as a bridge of development between wildlife and humanity.

Romanticizing the Raj Through Tales of the Royal Kitchens

Raj has always been a fascinating study for the West. East was that mystical land of snake charmers and tight rope walkers, of bejeweled Maharajas riding on elephants and naked fakirs performing their rope tricks. It has been debated that the Orient was romanticized for the West's own interests—to lure the West to the East, to make postings to India more palatable, to find charm in an alien culture and civilization. The present article aims to explore how writings on the royal kitchen have added to the image of the exotic Orient and inspired interest both in India and in the Indian cuisine.

Charming Snakes (and Kings), from Egypt to Persia

Abstract The war between Assyria and Egypt resulted in the deportation of scholars from the Nile Valley to Mesopotamia. Among them were the so-called “snake charmers.” While it was a well-known profession in Egypt, this was not the case in Assyria or Babylonia, where the treatment of snakebites and scorpion stings was left to exorcist doctors. A number of clues from the late Neo-Assyrian and Achaemenid Persian periods suggest that the “snake charmers” from Egypt enjoyed success with the kings of the great empires in the Middle East. Their presence most likely resulted from the professional structure and visibility of the Egyptian “snake charmers,” which were relatively absent in Mesopotamia.

Promoting intangible cultural heritage (ICH) tourism: Strategy for socioeconomic development of snake charmers (India) through geoeducation, geotourism and geoconservation

UNESCO has advocated for intangible cultural heritage tourism (ICHT) for its dual-folds benefits, i.e. to gear up of the economy and encourage sustainable development. Whereas well-established geotourism combining with ICHT may further boost up not only the conservation of geoheritage legacy but also complement each other and may also reopen an afresh avenue of tourism-economy. In the past, India is well known for its snake charmers but due to the ban on livelihood, most of them are unemployed and suffered from hunger and starvation. Moreover, the potentiality of ICH tourism, in favor of this group, has never been discovered in such a geoheritage-rich country. Here, we systematically proposed a promotional strategy for the development of ICHT, combining with geotourism, and for the sustainable development of this community after strategic care for wildlife (e.g. endangered snake species). As this study is concerned with literature review and field-based participatory survey methods, among the acquainted sites of snake charmers especially, three zones have been selected for strategic promotion. The prime goal is to highlight the geoeducation, geotourism and geoconservation potentials of this community people and geoheritage sites, belong to the three respected zones (Zone 1: Rajasthan; Zone 2: West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha; Zone 3: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh). The study outcome displays the enlightened major corners for further improvement for each ‘zone’ and each valuable site requires more consideration and better management (government and private partnership) in near future for more sustainably developed ICH and geoheritage destinations which would attract a greater number of tourist, not only from inside the country but also from abroad.

Marrakech in Travel Literature

The paper aims to examine images of Marrakech in travel literature and their relevance to and impact on tourism. Many of the pioneer works conducted by painters, writers or simply adventurers from the 17th century to the beginning of 20th century depict Morocco as a no man’s land; a country inhabited by savage, fierce looking men, living in a primitive, atavistic society. Their customs, beliefs, and behavior were exotic if not weird and therefore deserving anthropological research. Women were also subjects of much conjecture and criticism. They were often depicted behind barred windows, and closed doors, subservient, walking non- entities, draped in ‘haiks’ and veiled. They existed only for the pleasure of men. These stereotypes continue to inflame the imagination of tourists heading to Marrakech today. In this connection, Jemaa Elfna is considered the heart and soul of the city particularly because it caters to the fantasies of the tourists looking for exoticism. My purpose is to demystify the place and critique what it stands for. The snake charmers, henna ladies, disguised prostitution and homosexuality, con dentists and monkey trainers, who populate the place, in no way reflect the richness and authenticity of the country or the hospitality of the people

Modeling multidimensional poverty and vulnerability of snake charmers: a cross-state comparative analysis of Bihar and Odisha, India

The present study applies a composite index, after compensating livelihood vulnerability index and climatic vulnerability index, where the core part lies with the foundation of IPCC’s model. The encompassing subject of appraisal is the multidimensional poverty and vulnerability conditions of snake charmers in two eastern states of India (Bihar and Odisha), due to external shocks and stressors coming from the stringent environment laws and the effect of globalization. Here, three major dimensions (i.e. exposure, adaptive capacity and sensitivity), eight major components (i.e. socio-demographic profile, livelihood strategies, social network, food, health, water, impact of laws, and impact of globalization), and 82 sub-components or indicators have been integrated in accordance with the requirement of the study, for addressing the survival vulnerability of this marginal group. Based on the survey of 208 (Bihar) and 226 (Odisha) household data, a customized index is computed and varied dimension-wise and major component-wise vulnerabilities are compared spatially. The results have established almost similar scenarios of survival vulnerability of snake charmers across the states. Whereas in the two respective states the dimension of exposure is higher than rest dimensions like adaptive capacity and sensitivity, and this dimension indirectly affects the other two, which creates the ultimate vulnerability and not only reduces the resiliencies for adaptation but also enhance the magnitude of sensitivity. This pragmatic SuVI would be useful for assessing the vulnerability of any marginal group and also for reframing crisis-oriented policy and program, precisely for breaking the ‘chain’ of the vicious circle of misery from snake charmers’ lives.

Snake Charmers on Parade

AbstractFestivals have often been described as ritual occasions in which members of a community get together and overcome internal divisions and conflicts. The festival of Jhāṃpān (or Jhāpān Melā) provides a different definition of festivals as mirrors of social dramas and hierarchical divisions.The Ojhās of Bengal are low-class rural healers specializing in curing snakebites. The Bedes (or Bedias) are tribal snake catchers who extract venom and sell it to private clinics. Both groups perform snake charming, a popular entertainment as well as a ritual practice, during particular religious festivals, such as the Jhāṃpān.The diffusion and government support of Western medicine and education have seriously compromised the indigenous knowledge of these groups and attacked it as irrational superstition. Some of the most popular Jhāṃpān celebrations have been coercively stopped, and yet the festival is still celebrated in several districts and practitioners have developed strategic narratives to protect their knowledge.This article analyzes the changing role of snake specialists in Bengali rural society through a historical and contextual study of the Jhāṃpān. The decline of this festival mirrors the crisis of the transmission of indigenous knowledge, which can be understood only by considering the intersections between healing, ritual, and entertainment.

Biography of a snake charmer in Saidpur, Bangladesh

Though Saidpur Upazila under Nilphamari district is very small but here pigeonry, goat rearing, herbal treatments, circus team, monkey charmer, horse race and snake charmers are available. Snake charmers are not living well in this modern era. Their kids are not safe at home for snake rearing. In Savar, Dhaka there is a snake market where some tribal people buy it as food. People who are engaged with snake catching and snake-based superstitions go to that market. They support medical science and are waiting to get a good job. Who take snakes as food they say its meat is very hot. Depending on body size its price varies from 1000 to 2000 taka of a poisonous snake. People of the circus team, zoo committee and intersex people collects snakes from the snake charmer. Tradition of snake charming in Bangladesh is very ancient. Once upon a time most of the villagers liked it. Some peoples were considered as bede or tribal people who caught snakes from the jungle. Though Bangladesh is a small country but its 80 species of snakes are remarkable. Within these only cobras, kraits and sea snakes are poisonous and most of the cobras are bicellate type. Common vine snakes, tree snake and rat snakes are very common and nonpoisonous snakes of Bangladesh. After catching a snake, the charmer cuts the poison sac or rubs both fangs of the snakes. As poison of the snakes are digestive juice so that those snakes can suffer digestive ailments and ultimately die. The temperature of Rangpur division of Bangladesh is 350-370F which is suitable for snakes’ survival. There were 30.77% poisonous and 69.23% non poisonous snakes’ in Bangladesh in three families.1 In Bangladesh out of 82 species 28 are venomous and 12 are sea snakes.2 Estimates indicate ˃5 million bites annually by venomous snakes worldwide where ˃12500 deaths.3,4 Some research work have completed on snakes taxonomy, status, distribution and epidemiology of snake bite.5‒7 India has the highest number of snake bites in the world with 35000-50000 annually according to World Health Organization.8,9 In Bangladesh this is 4.3per 100000 an annual incidence and case fatality is 20%.10

Kalbeliya Dance from Rajasthan: Invented Gypsy Form or Traditional Snake Charmers’ Folk Dance?

Since being listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2010, Kalbeliya dance from Rajasthan is now generally conceptualized as an ancient tradition from India. However, this same dance practice, also known as a form of “Indian Gypsy” or “snake charmers’” folk dance, appears to have originated as recently as the 1980s. This article gives an account of the swift development of Kalbeliya dance from its first appearance on stage in 1981 to the present. Ethnographic research with Kalbeliya dancers’ families has elucidated how this inventive dance practice was formed to fit into national and transnational narratives with the aim of commercializing it globally and of generating a new, lucrative livelihood for these Kalbeliya families. As a new cultural product of Rajasthani fusion, the dance finds itself at the crossroads of commercial tourism and political folklorism and is grounded in neo-orientalist discourses (romanticism and exoticism).

Snake charming in Morocco

ABSTRACTWe provide an overview of the history of Moroccan snake charming, and then we describe the current state of snake charming performances in Morocco, drawing from observations, interviews, and analysis of published materials. Because Marrakesh represents the most prominent centre of snake charming in the country, this paper provides detailed information on performances in the well-known Place Jmaa el Fna. The cities of Meknes, Taroudant, and Tangier also host snake charmers. Weekly markets, or souqs, in rural areas historically involved entertainers such as snake charmers, but observations in several of these souqs revealed none. Charmers use several snake species for their trade. This study documented: the Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje), Puff Adder (Bitis arietans), Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes), Moorish Viper (Daboia mauritanica), Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), and Viperine Snake (Natrix maura). We discuss several explanations for avoidance of harm from the venomous species. Finally, we outline present and future challenges of the practice.

Snake Bite as a Public Health Problem: Bangladesh Perspective

Snake bite is an important but often under-recognized public health problem in Bangladesh, with an incidence density one of the highest in the world, which may be 623.4/100,000 person years. The proportion of poisonous snake bites is 10 to 45%, with the reported mortality 0.5 to 22%. Among the 82 species of snakes, 28 are venomous; bites by green pit vipers, cobras and kraits are the most commonly identified ones. High population density, widespread agricultural activities, numerous venomous snake species and lack of functional snake bite control programs favour the high burden of snake bites. Poorer rural populations are the main victims, imposing considerable socioeconomic impact. Treatment of snake bite is largely dominated by traditional snake charmers (Ozha) or ‘Kaviraj’ offering unscientific practices and healers, causing undue delay and precluding standard medical management. Delayed presentation to the hospital, lack of availability of antivenom and modern management facility are the main causes of death. Antivenoms are entirely dependent on import, are expensive, and are not ‘customized’ to local needs. Auxiliary intensive care facilities are not widely available; health care personnel often lack necessary expertise. However, the trend is changing. Public awareness is growing, health care personnel are being trained, and a national guideline for snake bite management has been formulated. Further research, introduction of modern diagnostic facilities, local manufacture of antivenom, and above all, integrated approach on the part of Government, policy-makers and international community can change the outlook of snake bite as a neglected tropical condition in Bangladesh.Birdem Med J 2015; 5(1): 24-29

A Survey on the Awareness as Well as to Know the Level of Satisfaction of the Online Shopping among the People of Ahmedabad City

India is a land of religion, customs and traditions. But we Indians have moved ahead in the online shopping leaving the entire world behind. Inspite of being well known as the land of Snake charmers and blind taiths we have an approximate 100 crores internet users out of which atleast half of them are shopping online and this number is increasing tremendously. Online selling has opened up immense opportunities for business and trade. Not only that customers also get a chance to compare the product specifications and price among various brands prevail1ng in the market. Few more advantages that a customer gets are low price, service at the door step, product as per need and much more. There is no matter of question that we Indians have become too much workaholic, but then too we take out time for shopping. No matter the style of sopping has changed but we still have the mentality of purchasing at a cheaper rates and that too when it comes to the people of Gujarat and Ahmadabad there is no room for doubt. So here in this research paper an attempt is made to know the perception of the people of Ahmadabad towards online shopping. An attempt is made to show the factors that the people of Ahmadabad take into account while purchasing a product online. In short a primary survey is done to know the exact perception of the online shopping customers staying at Ahmadabad, Gujarat.

SNAKE BITE

Snake bites are increasing amongst those who unlawfully keep snakes as petsworldwide. The rural population active in agricultural works, laborers, herders, professionalsnake handlers, trekkers, snake charmers and fishermen are at risk for snake bites. Objectives:To determine the frequency and pattern of vasculotoxic effects in patients with snake bite.Design: Case Study. Period: Six Months Setting: Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad.Patients and methods: All the patients who initially present in casualty department of hospitalwith the history of snake bite were enrolled in the study. The vasculotoxic effects were evaluatedby whole blood clotting time (WBCT) test, bleeding time, PT/APTT, hypofibrinogemia, DIC andthrombocytopenia. Relevant information would be entered in specifically designed proformafor this study. The data was entered, saved and analyzed in SPSS. So no test of significancewould be applied. Results: Out of 140 patients 112(80%) had vasculotoxic effects, of which80(72%) were males and 32(28%) were females. The mean age ±SD of the overall patients was37.53±8.72 whereas the mean age ±SD of male and female population was 38.98±7.44 and34.88±4.32 respectively. The systemic bleeding was observed in 99% patients, the fang marksin 94 patients, the prolonged bleeding time, WBCT and PT/APTT in 103, 96 and 101 patients,thrombocytopenia in 93 patients, hypofibrinogemia in 81 patients and DIC in 76 patients.The hamaturia (22%), hamoptysis(16%) and hametemesis (11%) was predominant features.The gangrene was observed in 02 patients, vomiting was observed in 60% of patients hadhaematemesis in 11%, bleeding gums in 03 cases and haemoptysis in 16%. Renal failure wasobserved in 12 cases. Conclusions: The coagulation tests disturbed as venom increases theclotting time. Proteins digesting enzymes or thrombin like activity of venom may be one of thecauses for prolongation coagulation tests (vasculotoxic effects)

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers and indigenous people in chittagong hill tracts, bangladesh, for the treatment of snakebite.

Snakebites are common in tropical countries like Bangladesh where most snakebite victims dwell in rural areas. Among the management options after snakebite in Bangladesh, snake charmers (Ozha in Bengali language) are the first contact following a snakebite for more than 80% of the victims and they are treated mostly with the help of some medicinal plants. Our aim of the study is to compile plants used for the treatment of snakebite occurrence in Bangladesh. The field survey was carried out in a period of almost 3 years. Fieldwork was undertaken in Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, including Chittagong, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari. Open-ended and semistructured questionnaire was used to interview a total of 110 people including traditional healers and local people. A total of 116 plant species of 48 families were listed. Leaves were the most cited plant part used against snake venom. Most of the reported species were herb in nature and paste mostly used externally is the mode of preparation. The survey represents the preliminary information of certain medicinal plants having neutralizing effects against snake venoms, though further phytochemical investigation, validation, and clinical trials should be conducted before using these plants as an alternative to popular antivenom.

The Green Wall

The Green Wall Timothy Liu (bio) In Marrakech, the medina walls stand nine cubits tall. Easy to miss the poverty. Or the contentment of a camel bellowing its low gutturals on a clay trail winding through the Ourika Valley, a tourist saddled on his throne led about by a boy who knows how to work a rope, make the beast kneel down on all fours. Forget about the vats of pigeon shit mixed with lime, the stinking hides and piles of matted fur scraped off by dye-stained hands that won’t reach fifty, your leather wallet fat with dirhams. Don’t resent having to pay outsider rates, three hundred dirhams for a bottle of huile d’argan at the Berber women’s cooperative instead of sixty. Is it really fair you come from a place teaching others how to write whether they have the gift or no, an off-season break the one chance you’ve got to prove if you’re a fake, the souks full of clay tagines and Berber bracelets made in China, Vietnam, Thailand, wherever labor’s even cheaper. Had to fly across six time zones in order to find peace of mind—status updates letting others know how good you are at being alone, no snake charmers to be found in the Jemaa el Fna. [End Page 112] Whatever remains of your money and time, let it ride on roulette. Nurse your lait aux dattes by the pool. Only up in the Atlas Mountains where zero bars rule the skies can you still find yourself trapped inside a cab without a rearview mirror— your phrasebook Arabic useless when a tour bus rear-ends you. [End Page 113] Timothy Liu Timothy Liu’s latest book is Don’t Go Back to Sleep (Saturnalia Books, 2014). He lives in Manhattan and Woodstock, New York. Copyright © 2015 Middlebury College Publications

Life Style and Social Exclusion of Snake Charmers in Bangladesh

This article is constructed on the basis of a study conducted in Sunamgonj District in Bangladesh. With the objective of an in-depth exploration on the marginalisation process of snake charmer community, the study used qualitative design. Purposive sampling technique has been used to select both research participants and study area. The study selected one of the villages of snake charmer and all male and female at the age of 18 years and above living in the selected village were considered as the population of the study. Twenty-five villagers were selected as sample and were interviewed with a standardised interview protocol consisting open-ended questions for covering all aspects of the research objectives. In addition with intensive interviewing, two focus group discussions were conducted with the participants. The study reveals that the socio-economic conditions of snake charmers are not so good comparing with the mainstream people of Bangladesh. On the other hand, this community does not have good relation with the people of mainstream society. They are frequently neglected and humiliated by the majority of population mainly because of their status as marginalised community Bose (2003). This people do not get job as majority people are reluctant to allow them to be engaged in mainstream occupations. Government offices ignore them due to their status as snake charmers. They are living within majority of people with same religious faith as Muslim but they are not accepted warmly by the majority Muslims. Name calling, labelling them as inferior group, use of some terms to humiliate and degrade them, etc, have become the part of their everyday life. They are not properly counted in voter list. Many of them cannot cast their votes, and do not have national identity card. They are facing identity crisis. This people want to be recognised as a distinct group like indigenous people.