Sajini,

After watching some documentaries on snakes (I like watching wildlife documentaries but not on snakes), I though along the same line. Much as these folks didn't have a scientific backing to their claims, I thought it was based on that principle that a snake will strike only when you make movement. I think such things were used to regulate and safeguard pple's lives. It is just like some taboos (mugiro) that were used to maintain law and order in the society.

Hhahahahaa**
This thread is very interesting.