Snake charming is the practice of pretending to
hypnotize a
snake by playing an instrument called
pungi or bansuri. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other
street performance staples, like
juggling and
sleight of hand. The practice is most common in India, though other Asian nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia are also home to performers, as are the North African countries of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.