Chasing the Golden Nectar: Traditional Art of Honey Hunting

Wild honey is considered the golden nectar because of its nutritious value. People in the hills have long practiced the art of honey hunting. In Jelbang, also known as the “martyr’s village” in Rolpa, honey hunting takes place annually. This hunting is almost a celebration for the locals and visitors. The locals use Indigenous knowledge and skills to hunt the wild bee hives on rugged cliffs. So, honey hunters deserve to be honored as “courageous heroes.” 

Jelbang is a scenically panoramic village in Rolpa. Magars and Dalits mainly inhabit it. This village attracted attention during the Maoist armed conflict. Seventy-three people from this village (63 from the Maoist side and 10 working for the State) lost their lives during the war. So, it is also called the village of the martyrs. After signing the peace accord, Jelbang became a ‘model peace village.’

The trenches and other structures that Maoists created during wartime are now tourist attractions. A foot trail that traverses this village is branded the Guerilla Foot Trail, where trekkers can enjoy natural and cultural heritages and listen to the stories of the ‘guerilla’ who fought the war in this rugged landscape. Three thousand seven people live in 510 houses in Jelbang village.

Jelbang has embarked upon a journey in tourism. Professional homestays have been developed. Currently, eleven houses offer homestay facilities. Tourists visiting Jaljala or trekking through the Guerilla foot trail can benefit from them. Homestays offer organic food made from locally grown barley, maize, buckwheat, black soya beans, green vegetables, and local chicken meat.

They also serve locally brewed alcoholic drinks called madh. We take pride in traditional art and ways of life. So, we have tried to preserve indigenous skills. We hunt the wild bee honey every year. It is a celebration for us.

The locals use indigenous knowledge and skills to hunt the wild bee hives on rugged cliffs. So, honey hunters deserve to be honored as “courageous heroes.” Wild bee hives are found in Saangkina cliff of Jelbang. Honey hunting usually takes place in April and May.

Honey Hunting

Most of the tools used for honey hunting are made from reed straps. The main tool is Rijhu, a hanging rope made of reed straps and wood. Other tools include a wooden weapon to pull down the honeycombs and a bamboo basket to collect the honeycombs.

In the beginning, villagers select a priest and a honey hunter. They skip salt for a meal. The priest washes himself clean and then worships the deities of the earth and forests. They offer five straps of white, red, and black clothes hung to the branches of mugwort, locally known as titepati.

The deities are worshipped so that honey hunting can occur without any hindrances. In other places, people even sacrifice a cock, but it is not practiced in this village.

A group of 60 villagers work together for honey hunting. The experienced one among them leads the group. The main hunter is called bhiraute. As per the leader’s instructions, they hang themselves with the support of rijhu or the reed rope and climb the cliff. If the team leader cannot encourage the main hunter, the remaining supporting crews quiver in fear, and the hunting fails.

Honey hunting is a collective task. This season, the villagers hunted 65 liters of honey from three hives at the Saangkina cliff.

Honey hunting is a courageous act. Only courageous people with adequate skills are sent for hunting. The bees attack the hunter hanging on the rope as he hunts the honey for the first or second time. The bee attack lessens when the hunter penetrates the honeycombs with a wooden weapon called a tanka and lets the honey pour. But if the hunter turns coward and returns without hunting, the bees will sting everyone present there.

The hunting rope is tied to a big rock or a tree and dropped to the cliff. The hunter reaches the bee hive with its support. A sickle is tied at the tip of the wooden tool, which is used to cut the honeycombs. They are collected in a bamboo basket called korka. The hunter wears a protective covering made of Himalayan nettle called allo. 

As soon as the main hunter hangs on the hunting rope, others make a fire smoke just below it so that the bees leave the hive. It makes it convenient for the hunter to chop the honeycombs. The hunters are also saved from the bee sting.

A watchman watches the tree where the rope is tied. He holds the khukuri high or pierces it into the tree’s roots. This guarding should be done until the hunting is over. There is a legend that by doing this, the chief of the bees won’t untie the hunting rope rijhu.

Honey hunting is a collective task. This season, the villagers hunted 65 liters of honey from three hives at the Saangkina cliff. There was no rain in winter this year, so there were no adequate flowers in the jungle, resulting in a low quantity of honey.

After hunting, honey is brought to the plains. It is first offered to the deity, and everyone present tastes it as a blessing.

The team leader, the main hunter, and the priests are each given a dharni of honey, equivalent to 5 pounds. Other hunters in the second, third, or fourth rows are also given a specific amount of honey. The remaining honey is distributed equally among the remaining members.

Wild honey is not only tasty but also has medicinal properties. Apart from Saangkina, there are other cliffs in Jelbang. Honey hunting takes place only once a year.

Prospects of Tourism

Honey hunting is a part of village culture. Tourists could find it interesting to observe honey hunting and taste wild honey. Villagers can earn additional income by showing honey hunting to internal and foreign tourists. Tourists can also enjoy the villagers’ annual honey-hunting celebration.

How to Reach Saangkina Cliff

There is a regular bus service from Kathmandu to Sulichaur, Rolpa, which is 440 kilometers away. Jelbang village is 22 kilometers away from Sulichaur bazar. Saangkina cliff is an 8-kilometer trek from Jelbang.