Swastiastu

Nine Snakes or the Wedding's Off

Uploaded by: NTDTV
Video Description:
CHAN:
And in one community in central India, whether or not couples get married depends upon the bride's parent's ability to collect a dowry of snakes.
Despite a government ban on snake catching, the snake charmers' community in India's central Chhattisgarh observes an ancient marriage ritual. It requires the bride to carry nine different species of snakes in her dowry, and many marriages are held up if this requirement is not met.
The approximate 25,000 snake charmers in the state are particular about this age-old
custom, and it is not uncommon that marriages are put on hold until all the snakes have been collected.
Eligible bachelors and engaged youngsters have to wait indefinitely until the brides parents are able collect all nine snakes. Sometimes proposed marriages are even canceled in despair.
[Durjan Sapera, Local Married Man]: "In our community, we cannot get married until we get nine snakes of different species. Even I got married only after I was given 9 different snakes. And someone I know has been engaged for the past year but will get married only after they give him nine snakes. They need to collect two more (snakes)."
With widespread deforestation and expansion of human habitations into forested areas, the snake population has dwindled, worrying snake charmers and couples to be wed.
Also, the enforcement of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has squeezed snake charmers of some of their business.
[Nirmala, Mother of a Bride]: "This is an age-old ritual. We have to give snakes of nine different species along with our daughter at the time of marriage. Otherwise, the marriage gets delayed or canceled. And with the ban on catching snakes, we are facing problems."
This ancient marriage ritual continues in India despite the legal ban on snake catching and a growing well-educated middle class.

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