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letter From Narayanganj

Snake charmer for 34 years

By Ehsanul Haque
Snake charter Mohammed Dudu Miah (Swarparaj) said that Bangladesh snakes haw great demand abroad
Dudu Miah (54) said his monthly catch of deadly snakes Is eight to ten. The present market rate of one tola of Cobra venom Is about Taka 2.000. At least 80 to 100 snakes arc required for one tola of venom, he said
Venomous snakes are largely available In Bari-sal. Patuakh-ali.Bogra. Chittagong, Ra-ngamatl, Ra-ngpur and Dinajpur. He claims that there are not many snakes In the Dhaka, because of thick human settlement.
Born in a Muslim family al Maadair in Narayan-g^u^h who put 34 years in the profession, went to Kam rukamakhya
ovince in India at the age of 15 where he learnt about the treat ment of snake bite victims, eating and catching of snake. He claimed that he not only catches snakes for monetary benefit but also treats the victims of snakes bite free of cost. He further claimed that he has treated about 3.000 snake bite victims over the last few years alo-
ne and he can save victims bitten by snake even 21 days ago. He also runs a centre near Masdalr crematorium, Narayanganj to treat the victims of snake bite free of cost.
Dudu Miah holds a licence of a snake ' charmer bearing a number issued by the Narayanganj district administration.
Every week he eats 4 to 5 snakes without any herbal medicine because his ustad, Asraf All Sardar in Assam introduced him to the practice. Dudu Miah says.
He sucks out the venom from those who have been bitten by shakes. He normally lakes no money for his services but satisfied patients naturally give 'baksheexh'. He has caughtjnorc than 50 cobras and darash from the homes and gardens of people, Tic also gels baksheesh from such places and this is usually al»ut Tk 100 to 200.
When the snakes bite one’s hand, he ties it on two places and sucks out the poison. He then applies Juice of roots to the affected areas. If the bite is on the foot he tics two knots on the thigh and similarly draws out the venom and applies herbal cure. Usually the snake docs not get a chance to bite the body but goes for the hand or leg. he informs me. Snake bite even In drcam may cause death to the victim, he claims.
A very significant source of his Income is sale of snakes to the Chinese. Koreans and Japanese who live in Bangladesh and who pay
him Tk 200 to 500 for each snake. They eat snakes as part of their grand dinner with great relish', he comments.
Another reliable source of his income, he claims Is treatment of patients for piles, stomach trouble, rheumatic ailments, hcraya and tumour. There Is no fixed rate of payment for this herbal doctor’. He accepts whatever he gets and sometimes It Is as much as Tk 1,000 by a grateful survivor of snake bite.
’Snake population is being gradually reduced tn the country’
— Dudu claims. This is because the wild bushes and trees are being reduced. In the fields there is the use of pesticides to get rid of pests and these destroy the eggs of the snakes. The snakes lay eggs in winter, he informs. and are hatched in’ the warm season. Each snake lays about 50 to 60 eggs.
Dudu claims, he knew nothing of black art when asked about the application of mantra on snakes. He once visited Japan and goes to Ajmlrsharif regularly. He is a ’Murid’ of Maiz-bhandari Peer Shaheb and loves "Jiklr" and "qawwalfs". He docs not like films or videos.
Dudu got entangled in a dispute with the Masdalr crematorium authority who alleged that his shack was on their ptopcrly. Mow he Is under constant pressure to Jeitve this tiny shelter. Uncertainty faces this hapless but efficient snake charmer.