A Nigerian university is taking the unusual step of hiring snake charmers after an infestation of reptiles in the school. According to Dr. Suleiman, the Umaru Musa Yaradua University in Katsina had been overrun by snakes, leading to the death of a student, Zainab Umar from a snake bite.
Dr.Suleiman Kankara, the infestation of snakes in the school was an annual event, with the school taking precautions to warn students.
"It has been on for the past two months and even last month, a new one was pasted. This is a continuous exercise after every rainy season. It's the period of snakes," he said.
The school has put up posters and circulars to warn its student body and staff against the presence of the Snake. Snakes charmers typically play a flute which the snake appears to respond to often at close striking range.
Astonishingly, the snake seems reluctant to hit despite a flared hood in the case of cobras.
In Nigeria, snake charmers physically handle cobras with their bare hands in street performances and sometimes involve members of their audience.
It is common in the northern part of Nigeria as a form of street entertainment but also as a means of advertising the possession of "Special powers, charms or medicines" which are sold to viewers.
The dean of student affairs, Dr Suleiman Kankara, said snake charmers had been hired before after snake reports.
Snake charming is commonly practiced in southern Asian countries but also in parts of Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment