Travels in the Atlas and Southern Morocco, a narrative of exploration . his performances the snake-charmer goesthrough a regular series of evolutions. For a time hedances round with the uncanny movements of a witchwho brews a potion or works a charm. He seems tobe imbibing the spirit and faith of the apostle of hisorder, becomes more and more excited, more and moreoblivious of his audience. The proper ecstatic moodattained, he bends down to the skin-covered cylindricalbasket, and draws out one or two snakes—a deadlylooking cobra and the even more repulsive Ic/a or puff- 368 MOROCCO. adder. The
Travels in the Atlas and Southern Morocco, a narrative of exploration . his performances the snake-charmer goesthrough a regular series of evolutions. For a time hedances round with the uncanny movements of a witchwho brews a potion or works a charm. He seems tobe imbibing the spirit and faith of the apostle of hisorder, becomes more and more excited, more and moreoblivious of his audience. The proper ecstatic moodattained, he bends down to the skin-covered cylindricalbasket, and draws out one or two snakes—a deadlylooking cobra and the even more repulsive Ic/a or puff- 368 MOROCCO. adder. The former rears a foot of its body from theground, and holds its head at right angles, ever readyto strike. The Ufa, on the other hand, lies flat, watch-ing the performer with its cold glittering eyes. Weare just getting absorbed in the sight, and think thespecial feats about to begin, when a stoppage takesplace. Allah and Sidi Aissa are again invoked. Thecrowd, with hands held before them, join in prayer, and asmall contribution to defray expenses is collected. Then. A MOORISU AUDIENCE. the snake-charming commences. The charmer temptsthe Ufa to spring at him, while he moves round withswaying body and a dancing step, chanting he thus turns and twists, the cobra ever keeps itselfpartially erect, watchfully following the movements ofits owner, its head turning round on its body as ona pivot. At times it strikes at him. Louder growsthe din of the tambourines and more excited thebehaviour of the performer. Suddenly he draws out MARAKSH. 369 a small snake and holds it up before him. He pushesout his tongue, and the snake bites it. He applies itto his leg, with a similar result. The onlookers nowstand in hushed expectancy, while the noise from thetambourines is redoubled. We also stand for a momentexpectant, looking for some strange dmoiiement. Thed4nouem6nt comes, but hardly as we imagined. Forthe performance stops at the most interesting moment,when the smallest con
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidtravelsinatlass00thom
