The Snake Charmers

Several communities find themselves at odds with modern beliefs and practices. Their culture is seen as unfit for what the world prioritises, and very often they end up losing their unique ways of living in this tussle. The Sapera community has had to undergo this challenge.

Sapera | Source: DeviantArt

India is indisputably a land of diversity. A plethora of cultures and communities coexist in the territory of this nation, and all of them have a distinct way of living that is in harmony with their particular surroundings. One such group that has found a unique yet remarkable way of becoming one with nature is the Sapera community.

The Saperas, as a community, have been historically defined by their occupation. As many can guess by the name, Saperas are traditionally snake charmers. That is also where the name of the community has its roots. They are also identified by various other names such as Sapelas, Sapreras, and others - depending upon the region that they reside in.

Saperas are believed to have originally been from the state of Rajasthan. They are categorised under the Kalbeliya tribe. Many members of the caste are still found in the state, along with other places such as Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and others along the northern belt. Many sub-castes also exist within the larger umbrella tribe, each with its distinct way of living.

The snake-charming bit of their lives is believed to have been born out of necessity. Snakes often wandered into their households, and it was necessary to learn to control them in one way or another. They acquired knowledge of how to ensnare a snake and proceeded to use that as a way to earn some money on the go. These captured snakes were entranced using music emanating from flutes and used for putting up displays in front of other people.

The community is also rich in its knowledge of how to deal with various aspects of being involved with such a profession. Each generation receives lessons on how to cure snake bites and other ailments. They also know the unique art of making kohl out of snake venom!

When the British first ventured into the lands of Northern India, they encountered many sights that seemed incomprehensible to them. The culture was vastly different from what they were used to. One of them was the enchanting art of snake-charming. It was impossible to believe the ease with which such a vicious reptile could be brought under human control. For a long period after that, the identity of these people was reduced to being exotic entertainers. Dancing cobras and sights of snakes wrapping themselves around individuals would attract hordes of visitors. Even today, snake charmers are a glorious sight that can be seen performing in villages. Although the profession does not enjoy the same amount of reverence as it did in its golden years.

The major component of their lifestyle that people need to understand is that the community does not harm the snakes they capture. Instead, they ensure that the animal is well taken care of and not subjected to any sort of abuse. The snakes are treated with respect, fed at regular times, and even set free when the time comes.

The community has been very defensive about their ways of living, while they have been accused of indulging in illegal trades. The community is facing a major livelihood crisis after the Indian government has banned the possession of wildlife. It is devastating to see that such an intricate art form has lost its place of pride in Indian culture and has been reduced to a crime. The people of the community have been relegated to the outskirts of towns and cities with a limited amount of options for making a living. Their culture is being questioned. What will be done to secure the future of this community remains to be seen.