Archive · 4 Sep 2025
Snake Maidens Winter Visit: Nomads Sell Wares in Villages
In the cold winter, snake charmers, called bedeys, come to the Sonai Bibi’r Bil fen.
The women, called snake maidens, wear colorful skirts and sell things like special stones and potions.
They travel to villages to sell their wares, including herbs, potions, and charms.
The men help by making baskets and preparing goods for sale.
Some men also steal from nearby fields to make money.
The snake charmers make the snakes dance to their pipes to entertain the villagers.
The snake maidens are away from home, but they are waiting for the monsoon to start to continue their journey.
Snake maidens visit villages during winter to sell wares.
They are part of a nomadic group of snake charmers called bedeys.
The women sell goods such as poison stones and potions.
Men assist in making and preparing the wares to be sold.
The community comes together during the winter months, until the rainy season returns.
- Who
- Nomadic snake charmers, particularly the women known as snake maidens.
- What
- The snake maidens sell wares, including poison stones, herbs, and charms, in villages during winter.
- When
- During the winter season.
- Where
- Sonai Bibi’r Bil and nearby villages.
- Why
- To earn money and provide goods and entertainment to villagers.
- Setting
- Sonai Bibi’r Bil, a low-lying fen in winter
- Inhabitants
- Nomadic snake charmers and their families (bedeys)
- Activities
- Selling wares, basket weaving, and entertaining villagers
- Goods Sold
- Poison stones, herbs, roots, potions, charms, and amulets
- Primary Female Role
- Snake maidens
- Primary Male Roles
- Weaving and selling