Snakes . . . you either love them or you fear them. Snakes are primordial and mysterious. They have been linked in a negative way to the underworld and in a positive way with life force and renewal. Snakes have fascinated people for thousands of years.
It is enticing to watch an exotic snake rise out of a basket to the lure of a skilled snake charmer. Snake charming is the art of capturing and controlling serpents, then mesmerizing them, as well as an audience, with what appears to be magic. The reality behind this ancient art is not at all magical nor charming, not for the snake or the men who charm.
As part of the audience, we often only focus on the danger presented to the man. We seldom wonder about the danger that the snake endures. The snake itself may be treated cruelly. Its fangs might be removed or its entire jawbone excised. Sometimes the snake’s mouth is sewn shut or it is just not fed. When the snake dies, the charmer simply catches another. These are the perils of a snake captured by a charmer who mistreats it.
The danger that the charmer faces is ironically not so much the bite of the snake. In these modern, high-tech times, the era of snake charming is coming to an end. No one wants to watch snake charming anymore! It is a fact that an Indian snake charmer can work for 10 hours each day and make les than $1.00 worth of income. While the art had been traditionally passed down from generation to generation, the contemporary youth are turning to other, more lucrative vocations.
There is still one avenue in which charming a snake is lucrative, and that is in the art of snake dancing. The public is especially excited to watch a lovely woman charm a python! The practice of belly dancing with a snake can make the show unforgettable.
Have you ever felt drawn to a slithering reptile and wondered if you could incorporate a snake into your dance performances? Before you run out to your nearest pet shop and purchase a snake, do some research. There are several sources on the Internet that can advise you from personal experience. There are many things to consider before you determine if snake dancing is truly right for you.
Take your time determining what kind of snake you want to work with. A boa constrictor has no venom or fangs and is ideal to dance with as it naturally holds on. A ball python can curl up on top of your head and create a dramatic crown. They only grow to about 5 feet in length, while other pythons may grow to an unruly 12 feet. The bigger the snake, the heavier it is to bear. Awkward handling and fatigue reduce the length of your routine and restrict your movements.
Buy a young snake that you can raise yourself. That way you will know that it has a good disposition with no past history that includes mistreatment. Also, this gives you time to become familiar with handling the snake and learning about it. For example, it is not advisable to dance with your snake when it is shedding. At that time, it is blind and its skin is very sensitive. You don’t want to increase your chances of getting bitten nor injure the snake.
It is important to not regard your snake as a prop, but as your partner. It is a living entity that needs to be respected. Snakes are wild creatures that are not trainable. You cannot bribe them or reward them as you might with other pets. When you take it with you to a show, you are responsible for its safety. You must take care that it is kept warm, but not overheated. You must pay attention to its feelings and movements. If the snake squeezes, it may mean that something has happened which makes it insecure.
The audience may want to touch the snake during or after the show. This is generally not advisable. You never know who you are dealing with in the public. You never know exactly how your snake will react.
Western audiences tend to be more awed by snake dancing than others. In a snake dance routine, you are handling the audience as well as the snake. Never assume that just because you are comfortable with your snake everyone else will be relaxed about it. Before you start your show, make sure that you announce that a real snake will be used in order to prepare people who are very afraid of live snakes.
Snakes have no ears and, therefore, cannot actually hear the music to which you are dancing. The snake charmer works with this by swaying his body and his flute to capture the attention of the snake. The snake always will react to movement. When you dance with your snake, you will find that a vibration encourages it to hang onto you. Keep in mind that the snake prefers to hold onto you, rather than be held by you. Avoid jarring movements and fast spins. Keep your dancing smooth, gentle and slow. Always remain conscious of the snake’s comfort.
It is probably best not to feed your snake just before a show. A less-than-full stomach makes the snake more active and interesting. Also, important for the show, the hungry snake is less likely to poop or vomit.
Choose a costume that is simple with no long strands of beads that the snake might grab. Make sure sequins are not rough to avoid irritating the snake. Avoid a lot of jewelry.
A snake cannot be forced into a dance choreography. Your routine needs to be improvised. Each time you and your partner dance, your live interaction will be different and make the show unique. Sometimes you will lead and sometimes the snake will! However, you can set up a format to the routine. Usually dancers enter with the snake in a basket. The basket is held or balanced on the dancer’s head. This creates anticipation in the audience, and it also keeps the snake calm. After you place the basket on the ground and lift the lid, you can gently pick up the snake. Try a variety of dramatic positions. Make your routine beautiful and exciting.
Snake dancing is not a tradition in the Middle East, although historically, the origins can be tied to India, and there is record of temple dances which used snakes as part of worship. For those belly dancers who cannot fathom performing with a snake, let alone touching one, take heart. You don't have to! If the closest thing you ever come to snake dancing is performing serpentine movements like undulations and snake arms, that's just fine. Snake dancing is not a requirement for a modern Egyptian cabaret routine. It is a specialty show -- truly special for the daring dancer, her well-loved snake and her mesmerized audience. Perhaps it is a new version of snake charming, one that charms all involved, the snake, the audience and the dancer!
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©2003 Jasmin Jahal