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Setting up beehives in the "land at the edge of the world"
The profession of beekeeping, a national intangible cultural heritage, has existed for hundreds of years and is closely linked to the lives of many residents under the canopy of the U Minh Ha forest. It is not only a means of livelihood but also a unique cultural feature, demonstrating the close connection between humans and nature.
The profession of beekeeping in U Minh Ha has a long history. According to historical documents, this profession emerged in the late 19th century, when the first people came to reclaim the land in U Minh Ha. Initially, honey harvesting was spontaneous, but later, people gradually accumulated experience and developed the profession of beekeeping.
Having existed for hundreds of years, the profession of beekeeping – a national intangible cultural heritage – is closely linked to the lives of many residents living under the canopy of the U Minh Ha forest.
Whenever the Melaleuca flowers in the U Minh Ha forest bloom, the entire forest seems to light up, donning a pristine white cloak, and it is also the time when honeybees from all over flock here to build their nests, creating a wonderful symphony of nature.
Since ancient times, the people here have observed and discovered an interesting habit of honeybees. They usually only build their nests on slanted, precarious tree trunks, resembling the shape of house rafters. Perhaps it was this keen observation that led our ancestors to the unique idea: building houses to attract honeybees.
Our ancestors discovered that honeybees only build their nests on slanted tree trunks, like house rafters. From there, they built houses to attract honeybees.
Over hundreds of years of development, the profession of beekeeping has become a distinctive cultural feature of the U Minh Ha region. These beekeepers are not only hardworking and creative laborers but also artisans, guardians and promoters of the traditional cultural values of their homeland.
In mid-November of the lunar calendar, before the last late-season rains fall, beekeepers will go into the forest to find a place to set up their hives, facing the direction the bees will come to build their nests.
The beehive system consists of two posts driven into the ground and one post placed on top. The taller post is called the support post, the shorter one is called the support post, and the post placed on top is called the beam. According to many artisans in this profession, it seems simple but is not easy because it requires high technical skill in setting up the beehive, and not everyone who sets up a beehive will find bees coming to build nests.
The selected melaleuca trees must be straight, 10-15 cm in diameter, stripped of their bark, dried, and planed smooth. The supporting beam is where the bees build their nest and bears the entire weight of the hive, which weighs 10-20 kg. Besides knowing how to build the beam, choosing the right location is equally important. The best location for the beam is where the melaleuca trees are low and have many flowers, and where sunlight shines down on the beam.
The beekeeper must know how to position the bees to receive the right sunlight and wind to ensure they build their nests. After 15-20 days from nesting, the bees will produce their first honey harvest. After that, a harvest can be obtained every 10-15 days. Just about half a month after the bees build their nest, the first honey harvest can begin, a process locals call "eating the honey." A beehive can yield 6 harvests a year, each producing 3-4 liters of honey. Honey harvested during the dry season is considered the best and most valuable. Accordingly, U Minh Ha forest honey has two seasons: the rainy season from the end of May to August (lunar calendar), and the dry season from October to March (lunar calendar).
The beekeeper chooses the wind direction, sunlight, and bee flight path, positioning the beehive at a height of about head level. Importantly, the bee placement must be done correctly for the bees to build their nest and produce a lot of honey. Importantly, the placement must be done correctly for the bees to build their nest and produce a lot of honey.
The weather in U Minh Ha is divided into two distinct seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season begins in May and ends in October, while the rainy season lasts from November to April of the following year. Tourists can visit this National Park at any time of year, but to experience "honey harvesting," you should come between the end of May and August (lunar calendar) or from October to March (lunar calendar).
To reach the U Minh Ha Melaleuca Forest, where diligent bees build their nests, you have two options: either trek along the trails winding through the forest, or ride in a small motorboat – a characteristic mode of transportation in the Mekong Delta.
Experience a tour of the Mekong Delta.
If you love exploring and want to immerse yourself in nature, trekking trails will be a wonderful experience. Small, winding trails beneath the cool, green canopy of mangrove forests will take you deep into the heart of the woods. You'll get to see towering mangrove trees, interspersed wild plants, and listen to the chirping of birds in the trees.
The appeal of trekking lies in the freedom to explore the hidden corners of the mangrove forest, learning about its diverse and rich ecosystem. You might encounter wild animals such as monkeys, gibbons, deer, wild boars... or rare birds like egrets, herons, and storks...
If you want a faster and more comfortable way to travel, a "vỏ lãi" (a type of motorboat) would be a suitable choice. A "vỏ lãi," also known as a "tắc ráng," is a small, long, rhombus-shaped motorboat with an engine attached to the stern. It's a popular mode of transportation in the southwestern provinces of Vietnam and the Mekong Delta, especially during the flood season.
Sitting in a traditional boat, you'll glide along the intricate network of canals and waterways, weaving through lush green mangrove trees. You'll admire the simple stilt houses of the locals, the precarious monkey bridges spanning the canals, and the verdant rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see. These boats are not just a means of transportation but also an integral part of the culture of the Mekong Delta. Sitting in one of these boats, you'll feel the free-spiritedness, independence, and closeness to nature of the local people.
Before approaching the beehive area, you will be given a head covering. The beekeeper, however, will carry a torch made of coconut fiber, a plastic container, and a knife to help with honey harvesting.
For experienced beekeepers, once the frames are set up, they can predict when the bees will come to nest and when to return to harvest the honey.
The entrance to the beehive is quite small, only about 1 meter wide and 1 meter high. On the supporting beam, the bees swarm tightly around the hive, leaving no gap. The first step is to anesthetizing the bees. The beekeeper lights a torch made of coconut fiber, places it in a bucket, and then puts it inside the hive. Dazzled by the smoke, the bees swarm out, literally "breaking the hive," their wings buzzing as they surround the beekeeper's head covering.
Once the bees have dispersed, you can approach and observe the hive. The size of the hive and the amount of honey harvested depend on the number of bees that built the nest and the time of year you go "honey hunting." The beehive frame is carried by two people to a grassy area near where the boat is docked so you can enjoy the honey directly. Along the way, some bees may still linger, clinging to the hive.
After everything is prepared, the beekeeper must erase all traces, because if disturbed, the bees will not come to build a nest.
Tiny hexagonal compartments are interspersed on the surface of the hive, arranged in a perfect, natural pattern. The edges of the hive are white, turning yellowish and gradually darkening to a deep brown towards the center due to the concentration of honey. When you press on the hive with your hand, a layer of golden, shimmering honey flows out. Under the bright sun, the honey seems to glow.
Professional beekeepers don't take the entire hive; they only cut about 3/4 or 4/5 of it (depending on the size) so the bees can continue building a new nest on the removed structure. After harvesting, the hive contains various products such as honey, beeswax, young bees, and pollen.
Beekeepers are using tinder to drive away bees in order to collect honey.
Honey is a valuable ingredient in medicine and food processing. Young bees are a favorite food of many people and can be prepared in many dishes such as: young bees cooked in porridge, fried in batter, made into salads, bee paste, etc. Bee pollen has health-restoring properties and is very effective for the elderly and those with weakened bodies. Beeswax is the remaining part of the beehive after the honey has been extracted and can be used as a raw material for making candles and lamps.
Each beekeeper collects hundreds of liters of honey after the honey-gathering season.
On June 18, 2020, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ca Mau province held a ceremony to announce and present the Decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognizing the beekeeping profession as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage to representatives of the People's Committees of U Minh and Tran Van Thoi districts. The recognition of beekeeping as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage has created further motivation for local people to continue practicing the profession, providing conditions for sustainable economic development, contributing to improving the effectiveness of forest protection and poverty reduction in the locality.
