The Mad Honey From The Himalayas
There is an old saying Where ever there is a Will there is a Way.Likewise, where ever there is a flower there are bees, Nepal is a country of natural gardens. Where the world’s 02 % of all flora, exotic flowering plants, and trees are in Nepal Himalayas. Makes the country world richest in terms of bio-diversity from the low sub-tropical of southern Terai to cooler green hills.
Extends towards an arctic zone of ice and glaciers, from 60 m to the world’s highest Mt. Everest at 8,848.86 m high. All within a mere distance of 150 km, making the country unique with varied climate conditions.
This makes Nepal a perfect home for four native honeybees, the bee species are of the following family group. The Apis Laboriosa, Apis Dorsata, Apis Florea and Apis Cerana with one special and exotic type the Apis Mellifera.
The latter one was introduced in Nepal from Europe in 1994, it is known as a small honey bee Apis florea. The rock bees Apis dorsata, Asian bees Apis cerana and the largest Apis laboriosa are native to Nepal.
The bees farming as apiculture or wild honey were important to human beings since ancient times all around the world. Especially for honey the elixir of all purposes, as medicine, adding in foods, for good health and beauty, etc.
Mankind is blessed with various different attributes from the golden drops of honey as balanced nutrition. So far no harm or destruction to human beings unless taken in a certain quantity, it can be dangerous also. If taken in a large amount than the body can take, one can go Mad, Crazy like a Lunatic.
Where are the Mad Honey of Nepal Himalayas Located?
There are only two different species of honey-producing in Nepal, farmed as apiculture, the Apis Cerena and Apis Meillefera. Nepal is a country enriched with flora and fauna, the southern hills of the great Himalayan range, are covered in dense forest. Where seasonal wild flowering plants and trees are found, which makes a great habitation for wild honey bees.
The wild honey bees in zoological science terms known as ‘Apis Laboriosa’, listed as the world largest. Where single adults grow up to a length of 1.2 inches or 3.0 cm found around mid and high hills.
Located on sheer high craggy rocky cliffs of Himalayan deep forested areas, smart and clever wild bees. Making its strong hide-out the hives or honeycomb, away from human settlements as a defensive precaution from intruders.
The honey wild bees produce is naturally pure and organic than kept in Apiculture or bee farming. The wild honey of Nepal Himalayas is found all around remote and isolated pockets of Himalayan high hills.
From the Far East to Western Nepal, the most famous and popular region for Wild-Mad Honey is around the country’s Mid-West. Around Annapurna and Lamjung Himal range, as well in Dhaulagiri and Central Himalaya of Langtang and Ganesh Himal area also.
Honey hunting was made popular and exposed to the world with a documentary filmed by National Geographic. It was done around the eastern Annapurna and Lamjung Himal region, beyond a large Gurung village of Siklis around Hoga Ghot.
Annapurna and Lamjung Himal areas are the prime location for Wild-Mad Honey with a mass number of Apis laboriosa giant bees. Due to its dense mixed rain forest of bamboos, oaks, pines, and rhododendron trees. Which makes a perfect home for the wild honey bees of Nepal, in the harmony of a pristine natural tranquil environment.
But the local native of Annapurna and Lamjung areas, the Gurung ethnic tribes besides farming and raising livestock. As well engaged in hunting wild-life of the areas such as mountain antelopes, pheasants, and for wild-mad honey.
The Traditional Ritual and preparations for Wild-Mad Honey Hunting:
Since time unknown, the hill and mountain tribes of Nepal Himalayas, have always been attached to the natural environment. For foods, grazing domestic animals, and engaging in hunting, where wild-mad honey hunting was prime sports and activities. The Wild-Mad Honey Hunting takes place twice a year in the spring and early autumn seasons. But the hunting of Wild Honey is not an easy job it is more of an adventure. Apart from the economic source of harvesting wild-mad honey, it involves several traditional rituals and worship of nature. The culture of hill villagers the Gurung for honey hunting does not destruct and eradicates the actual nests. The hunters and local villagers support and maintain the ecological balance for the reproduction of wild-honey bees.
There are some traditional beliefs and faith for Wild-Mad Honey Hunting where certain norms have to be practiced. The hunting takes place only on auspicious days of the week, like Tuesday a favorable day for honey hunting activity.
Includes some cycle of the moon, like the 8th, 11th, 23rd, 26th, and 30th days, worship of natural spirits. The hunters respects two gods of the forest that is surrounding the local god, and the real god of a high cliff. Where wild honeycombs cling strongly on rocky ledges, untouched by close vegetation and far off from predators.
Hunting Honey can be dangerous if the hive is disturbed attacks with a flood of a swarm that can lead to death. But the local people have a way of getting the golden elixir, using primitive tools and equipment. Made out of natural vegetation, ropes from vines which is the main safe and easy assist to the wild-mad honey. Ladders are built with strong ropes of vines and pointed bamboo poles, and then ropes are attached to the cliff edge.
The struggle and activities for the adventure of Honey Hunting take place early morning or late afternoon-evening time.
A bamboo cane basket holds the juicy honeycomb, as the bees are driven with strong smoke from the fire. After everyone is safe with victorious moments, where honey is taken to the nearby village. Where the community has a share of the treasures, but first the veteran expert honey hunter tastes the organic syrup.
Make sure of the qualities and how much harm it does if taken in a large proportion. Wild Mad Honey, is an excellent source of antioxidants, which reduces stress from the oxidative body, wiping up unwanted free radicals.
The goodness and attribute of Wild-Mad Honey:
If taken in a small amount which is good for health and the body, one should be aware. If taken in larger amounts it leads to hallucinations, makes you crazy like having a magic mushroom or LSD.
The Wild or Mad Honey makes hallucinated due to the property known as hallucinogenic, a substance called grayanotoxin. This is strongly common from the flowers of rhododendron pollen, the rhododendron a national flower of Nepal.
Where all Himalayan hills and valleys are covered with a forest of rhododendron of various species, from tall trees to bush.
The flowering season is in spring and in autumn also, which blooms twice a year and produces this natural product. Honey is consumed all around the world from Aviculture to wild-mad honey, adding to taste in various types of foods.
The Nepalese and Asian countries use honey for medical purposes since ancient times, also for muscle pain and joints. An excellent remedy, common among mountain people of Nepal, rubbing ineffective parts of legs, knees, and on the aching body.
Honey is a purely organic and natural alternative for sugar, with no extra additives, which makes it easy to digest. It blends in all cooking processes that make you healthy, good for heart patients consuming honey every day.
The use of honey by humans apart from wild animals and birds is very old, dates back to 2,100 B.C. The word comes from old English as Hunig, the first and most popular word as a sweetener used by man.
Wild-Mad Honey of Nepal Himalayas Hunting as adventure sports:
After the great widespread of National Geographic documentary film of Wild Honey Hunting. At present, besides trekking and mountaineering in Nepal; the wild-mad honey hunting has become an adventure sport.
Where interested adventurers can join in choosing the right time of the season as well location for honey hunting. Foreign honey hunters have to pay a royalty to the respective village community, they will guide you to the exact spot.
The most popular and famous area for wild-mad honey hunting is near Pokhara, a few day’s hikes and drives. Located Nepal Mid-West in the district of Kaski within Gandaki Zone State-3, as per the local villagers. There are more than 26 high rocky cliffs, where wild honey bees’ hives are located. Most areas of honey hives are situated close to river gorge, in isolated areas away from human habitation.
Where interested parties for wild honey hunting need permission from the villages and then guided by an experienced local guide. All equipment required needs to be of home-made ropes and bamboo ladders can add few modern technical tools, items also.
The best time for Wild-Mad Honey Hunting is in autumn (September to November), next is spring (March to May). Most days the weather is fine in these seasons with sunny days with clear views of high Himalayan peaks. Traditionally the perfect time to collect honey is during the spring and autumn seasons.
