How To Become A Snake Charmer
There is a mystical feeling you get when you see a flared cobra head poking out the top of a basket while a snake charmer is performing hypnotizing music on a flute. Maybe after you have seen one of these performances you start to wonder how to become a snake charmer. Follow these tips and you may soon be the one charming that snake.
1. Find a snake. This is fairly obvious. You can’t be a snake charmer without a snake. Or, you could think beyond snakes and become the first gecko charmer or turtle charmer.
The most common snake used for snake charming is the Indian cobra. This is the snake that will have that wide flared head and makes the most dramatic entrance. The cobra is also widely known to be very venomous.
You may want to be unique and get a snake not normally used by snake charmers. Corn snakes are never used and they are very beautiful. Though, to be honest, you will make the most impact if you choose a very venomous snake.
2. Avoid the fangs. Okay, this is another obvious point. While you want a venomous snake to make an impact on your audience, you really don’t want to get bitten. There are snake charmers that remove the fangs or even sew the snake’s mouth shut, but that is cruel so don’t consider these options. Instead, you can train for many years to become very good at charming so the snakes never even attempt to bite. There are snake charmers in India that feed their cobras an herbal mixture that supposedly neutralized the venom, but I wouldn’t count on it.
If you are not a good enough snake charmer to prevent all bites you must then:
3. Have antivenom on hand. On second thought, if you are a snake charmer that must have antivenom ready to inject at any moment you may want to reconsider your career.
4. Learn to play the Indian flute. What is a snake charmer without that typical flute music? You could either learn the Pungi, which is the Indian flute used by snake charmers, or you can be different and charm your snakes using a trombone, clarinet, or maybe a bagpipe.
5. Move to India. Most countries outlaw snake charming, especially if venomous snakes are used. Even India outlawed this practice since 1972. In recent years there have been a small number of charmers allowed to perform so practice hard and then appeal to the Indian government for a permit to perform.
6. Don’t count on being rich. Snake charmers do not really make much money and essentially are beggars. Many make most of their money selling trinkets, jewelry, and even potions. While you may not make a fortune charming snakes, it may be possible to make a living selling snake oil.
Not many people want to learn how to become a snake charmer so there are not many options available. As with most professions, it is best to study under an expert. There are no schools or online courses so being an apprentice may be your best option.
