See The Snake Charmers In The City Of Tangier

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Known as the White City and perfectly positioned where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean meet, Tangier is being rediscovered as a tourist destination. Between the 1920’s and late 1950's, Tangier was a playground for the rich and famous. When it was relinquished from Spain in 1960 its tax haven status was lost and with it a much of its panache. However, with the city’s proximity to Europe, tourism is on the increase and visitors are rediscovering the palm-lined promenade, sandy beaches and historic old town.

Trade in the medina is booming with tourists browsing through the maze of narrow streets. The city is undergoing rapid development and modernization with projects including new 5-star hotels, a modern business district, a new airport terminal and soccer stadium. It is in these colourful market streets of the old medina that the visitor will be able to witness Snake Charmers seemingly hypnotizing their snakes with music. Once a stereotypical character in Moroccan markets, snake charming is in danger of dying out. Snake charmers originally sought to teach people to revere snakes rather than fear them. Charmers or healers as they were known were often called in to remove snakes from people’s homes and were respected for their healing abilities and ease with which they handled the serpents.

Dressed in traditional attire, long hair wrapped in a turban and basket of snakes at his feet, the charmer will set to work. The wailing strain from a tibble or native flute serves to draw in spectators from the market. The snake emerges from the dark basket and begins to sway to the music, seemingly hypnotized. Whether or not you believe in the magical ability of the charmer, witnessing a snake charmer in the fascinating city of Tangier will be long remembered.