Snake charmers in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) are playing their instruments to draw their snakes (cobras) out of their baskets on the ground. Numerous people in traditional garb and buildings are visible in the background. One cobra is completely out of its basket. Snake charmers were a common sight in both India and Sri Lanka, in part because cobras are revered in Hindu tradition, giving snake charmers an aura of mysticism, (1912).

Identifier
NYSA_A3045-78_B3403

Date Original
1912

Language
English

Source
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Visual Instruction. Instructional lantern slides, ca. 1856-1939. A3045-78, B3403.

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