Snake Charmers - a photo on Flickriver

Snake Charmers

            Dancing women of the Kalbelia tribe watch the sun set over the Thar desert.

The Kalbelia tribe, also known as Kalbeliya or Sapera, hails from Rajasthan, India. The name "Kalbelia" derives from "Kal," meaning death, and "Belia," meaning friend, reflecting their traditional role as snake charmers and healers. Historically, the Kalbelia were nomadic and relied on snake charming and trading snake venom for their livelihood. Their women are renowned for their distinctive dance, characterized by fluid, serpentine movements and vibrant attire, mimicking the grace of snakes.

In modern times, due to laws protecting wildlife, the Kalbelia have shifted away from snake charming. Many have embraced agriculture, daily labor, and performing arts for income. Their dance and music have gained international acclaim, becoming a symbol of Rajasthan's cultural heritage. The Kalbelia dance is now recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, providing the community with new avenues for cultural expression and tourism-related opportunities. Despite these changes, the Kalbelia continue to preserve their unique traditions and adapt to contemporary society while maintaining their cultural identity.

Taken on: February 21, 2024

Tags:

india

jaisalmer

kalbelia

desert

thar

dance

dancing

camel

sunset

culture

tradition

gypsies

orange « less

Sets appears in: • India 2024 • Fine Art

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Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM5, f/4.5, 1/800 sec, 129mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-7RM5
Lens:	FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
Aperture:	f/4.5
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	129mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-0.7 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 13.1 (Macintosh)
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