The Big Picture: Major Influences - Dragons and Tigers: A Geography of South, East and Southeast Asia - page 3

Snake Charming

Snakes also represent dragons. While snake charming
probably originated in India as a component of tradi-
tional, medicinal practices, it is also found in Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The snake, com-
monly a cobra, is placed in a basket, where it appears
to be hypnotized and sways to the sound of a musical
instrument such as a flute. In fact, snakes are deaf and
more likely follow the flute as the charmer moves it
back and forth. The charmer usually sits just out of
range of the snake' s reach. Sometimes the snake' s fangs
and/or venom glands are removed.
Snake charming is a hereditary profession with
sons learning from their fathers. Most practitioners
lead a migratory existence travelling among town
and village markets and festivals. Of course, they
are paid for their entertainment.
Although there are an estimated 800,000
charmers in India today , their numbers are shrink-
ing dramatically . There are several reasons for this.
Urbanization and deforestation has dramatically
reduced the snake population. Further, the Indian
government has all but outlawed the practice in line
with the views of animal rights activists. Thanks to
cable television and nature programs, many people
are losing their fear and revulsion of snakes and
understand that the snakes are not really hypnotized.
As a result of these changes, snake charmers either
hide away their activities in remote villages or give
up the occupation and turn to begging, scavenging,
or poorly-paid day-labor work in the cities.
But the snake charmers are not going away
easily . As they are denied their means of earning a
living, many are becoming angry and have turned
to protesting. In 2004, a large group, waving their
snakes, stormed the capital buildings in the state of
Orissa (eastern India). An estimated 5,000 snake
charmers poured into Kolkhata (Calcutta) in the
northeast state of West Bengal to argue their plight.
Now the Indian government and rights
groups are somewhat sympathetic to the snake
charmers and are looking for ways to improve
their lives. One suggestion is to train them to
be snake caretakers and educators. Another is to
focus on their music and have them join the
ranks of street musicians. The government is also
allowing a limited number of charmers to practice
at popular tourist sites (Figure 1-3).

Figure 1-2
I took the picture of this large painting that was hanging on
the wall of a hotel in Busan (Pusan), Korea. This is the “White
Tiger of the W est,” one of four beasts that protect the cardinal
directions in China, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. Known as
Baekyo, it is a prominent creature in Korea' is creation myth.
South Korea is one of the economic tigers of Asia. Photograph
courtesy of B. A. Weightman.

Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan have all
been referred to as dragon economies or economic tigers,
although today they are described as developed
economies. India is struggling for “tigerhood.” Although
Vietnam' is economy is growing and standards of living are
rising rapidly , it is still called “Asia' is baby tiger.”
These beasts are frequently seen in service and prod-
uct names. Dragonair flies out of Hong Kong. Nine
Dragon Beer is sold in China. Singapore' is Tiger Beer is
exported around the world. Tiger Balm ointment is a
trusted remedy for headaches and insect bites. Finally ,
there is a “dragon, phoenix, and tiger soup.” The dragon
is snake, the phoenix is chicken, and the tiger is cat.
Dragons and tigers have pervaded Asian landscapes
in both subtle and obvious ways. That is why they have
been given a place in the title of this topic.