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Nestled in the shade of the majestic Himalayan mountains, the craft of harvesting honey from giant rock beehives (Apis Laboriosa) has become an integral part of Nepal's culture and tradition.
The profession of extracting "liquid gold" in Nepal
Nestled among the towering Himalayan mountains, for thousands of years, the Gurung men have continued to make a living by hanging suspended in the air to hunt for rare wild honey.
Perched atop the sheer cliffs of the Himalayas, rock bee hunter Gurung has created a dramatic spectacle of man and nature intertwined.
Harvesting honey from cliffs is an ancient tradition of the people living at the foot of the Himalayas. Gurung men, who live in the mountainous regions of central Nepal and northern India, risk their lives for this perilous occupation. These honey-gathering trips typically take place twice a year, in the autumn and spring. It is deeply ingrained in the local culture of Nepal.
The towering mountain is also a workplace for humans.
They followed winding trails, traversing steep rocky slopes to reach towering cliffs, home to the giant rock bee nests – Apis Laboriosa, the largest bee species in Asia. These nests, forming enormous black dots against the Himalayan screen, are hidden on cliffs at altitudes exceeding 1500 meters above the ground, a living testament to life clinging to the harshest environments.
The practice of harvesting honey from giant rock bee nests (Apis Laboriosa) has become a part of the culture.
Perched on sheer cliffs, where snow and wind blow year-round and the cold is biting, the Gurung bee hunters have chosen a life of constant challenge. Every step on the precarious cliffs is a confrontation with death. The lack of oxygen at high altitudes, sudden gusts of wind, and the constant threat of slipping and falling into the abyss are ever-present. Yet, with their fierce survival instincts and extraordinary courage, they have transformed these dangers into motivation to conquer nature.
Challenges in the honey hunting profession
During their "hunting" trips, the beekeepers silently pray to the gods for protection and blessings for a successful journey. The sunrise bathes the snow-capped peaks in golden light, signaling the start of a new workday. The Gurung beekeeper skillfully ties a rope ladder to a sturdy rock and begins his perilous climb. Each step requires intense concentration, as a small mistake could lead to dire consequences. Once they reach the beehive, they gently light the beehive with smoke, then meticulously cut out the glistening golden honeycombs with bamboo knives.
Nepal is home to the world's largest honeybee species, and honey harvesting is a vital element of the culture of this small southern nation.
Armed with tangos—long bamboo sticks with sickles attached to the ends—the Gurung bee hunters are like valiant warriors, ready to face the daunting challenge. Each thrust into a beehive is a confrontation with thousands of ferocious bees. Their arms must be steady to control the tangos, and the sickle must be driven deep into the hive without shattering it. Every movement demands intense concentration and extensive experience, as even a small mistake can cost them dearly with painful stings or even be life-threatening.
In Nepal, people have been harvesting honey for thousands of years, and this practice is an important element of Nepalese culture.
To avoid being attacked by bees, honey gatherers equip themselves with special clothing to protect their bodies from the bee's fury. However, some honey gatherers still wear their normal clothes to "work".
However, thanks to the techniques and deep understanding of bee behavior accumulated by generations of Gurung people, they are able to perform the work safely. This is not only a manifestation of courage and survival skills but also part of their cultural heritage, a traditional art that they always want to preserve and promote.
Harvesting a beehive takes honey hunters 2-3 hours, depending on its location and size. Experienced honey hunters typically never take all the honey from one location to ensure the bees can return the following season. Himalayan honey is a valuable export commodity due to its high medicinal value, making it highly sought after.
A segment of the population in rural Nepal makes their living solely from honey harvesting.
Honey hunters typically gather in groups and venture up the Himalayan mountains in search of beehives.
Today, this rare type of honey sells for $20-$30 per liter. Harvesters reveal that the price of honey on the international market is much higher. Accordingly, Himalayan forest honey sold in the Asian market is six times more expensive than regular honey from Nepal, costing around $50-$80 per half kilogram. This price motivates many people to risk their lives climbing high to harvest it.
Before climbing the cliff to collect honey, the hunters always pray and offer rice, flowers, and fruit as offerings.
Recently, the Nepalese government has invested heavily in tourism, allowing tourists to directly join locals in honey hunting. This helps a segment of the population become less dependent on natural food sources and improves their livelihoods.
However, this tourism promotion puts honeybee populations at high risk of decline due to its significant impact on their habitat. Consequently, some hunters, tempted by immediate profit, are willing to take tourists on honey hunting trips even outside of the honey-harvesting season. This leads to a serious decline in the bee population due to a lack of food.
