Bizarre ritual: Here snakes are given as dowry

Chhattisgarh, October 20: The practice of dowry during marriage is prevalent since several years in India. Though it is legally crime, it is still continuing in the society. After hearing dowry, normally anyone thinks about gold and silver articles, bikes, cars, plots and flats etc. The so called gifts depends upon the financial status of the bride’s parents.
 
But in a State in India, dowry means not gold or cash. Not even plots or flats. It is snakes. Yes. You read it right. Though sound bizarre, people of this area are still following this practice of giving snakes as dowry.
 
Sohagpur is a remote village in Kobra district, Chhattisgarh State. Mostely people belonging to Savra caste lives here, who are continuing this tradition. It is compulsory to give snakes to the bridegroom, else wedding will be called off. 
 
In the past, bride’s parents use to give 21 snakes as dowry. But later the number reduced to 11, because of Wildlife Protection Act. Forest officials have been implementing this Act strictly. Due to this, Savra people are finding it hard to catch snakes.
 
Why snakes are being given as dowry? There is a reason behind this. Savra community people are snake charmers and they eke out a living by making snakes do stunts.