-(2)9c71569d-879c-4cab-9512-66ce75cb2ad2.png?sfvrsn=e688ae3f_1) | Wild Rock Bee HoneyNilgirisIndia |
Wild Rock Bee Honey is courageously collected from the wild honeycombs of the giant Indian rock bees, Apis dorsata. Groups of collectors continue a traditional and challenging collection ritual, respecting bees and the ecosystem where they thrive. These honey collectors are from Indigenous Peoples, Irulas and Kurumbas, considered, by historians, to be relatives of the founder and autochthonous original Indian populations. The honey is used as a base ingredient in traditional medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha medicines.
Tradition and honey hunting
Honey hunting is practiced in the Nilgiris area, steeped in folklores and prayers for thousands of years. The honey collectors perform a puja, a worship of gods and goddesses, while going to look out for hives. The collection is carried out by a team that includes a lead hunter who ascends the ladder and harvests the honey, while others hold the ropes at the top of the cliff, manage the smoke generation and collection vessels. Customarily, the brother of the hunter’s wife is responsible for holding the ladder in place. Hives are marked so that others do not collect from the same hives, ensuring sustainability to the harvesting process.
Producers
Aadhimalai Producer Company is a company wholly owned by Indigenous Peoples, one of the first of its kind in India. It secures sustainable livelihood and sound environment to the tribal communities of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, by creating opportunities to market their farm and forest products. It collaborates with Last Forest, a sustainable marketplace that provides eco-friendly, thoughtful and meaningful options directly involving the indigenous communities of more than 150 villages.
Taste and territory
Known as the "Food of Gods", it comes from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected forest area in India and part of the mountain range Western Ghats, that reach the altitude of more than 2 000 metres above sea level. It is an authentic multi-floral honey that has a variety of colours ranging from light clear to amber, and even a dark opaque shade. The colour represents the enormous mountain forest biodiversity of trees, whose nectars are methodically collected, resulting in a rich taste.
Further information
