INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
INSIDE HIMALAYAS | NEPAL | TIBET | BHUTAN
The Honey Hunters
of Nepal
by Hemanta Bhandari
In the foothills of the Nepal Himalaya lives a brave tribe of Gurung people who risk their lives climbing up cliffs to
harvest honey from one of the biggest and most dangerous honey bees in the world. This tradition dates back
hundreds of years, and holds great religious and cultural importance to the people who live here.
From Kathmandu we made the long journey to Tanje village, home to 200 people and protected by thick jungle.
Most of the inhabitants are farmers, cultivating rice, corn, and vegetables for their own use. For income, they
shear wool from the sheep and produce handmade clothes and mattresses.
Hunters must climb up to the hives to release the honey. Photo: 4AM.
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www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
The honey hunters live deep in the Himalaya. Photo: 4AM. Men gather to collect the honey. Photo: 4AM.
The hives are built high into nooks in the cliffs. Photo: 4AM. Special ropes are prepared. Photo: 4AM.
Creating the fires needed to smoke out the bees. Photo: 4AM. Smoke causes the bees to leave their hives, leaving them vacant so honey can be
collected. Photo: 4AM.
According to the local people, about 200 years ago, two tribes of Gurung and Ghale people left Tibet and
settled here. They started to collect wild honey from the steep cliffs and began trading it.
We observed 18 daredevil climbers. A few of them prepared the ropes made of braided strips of bamboo. Some
made the ladder, which is comprised of these ropes. The hunters told us that the honey reaches its highest
quality in May and June, so we were there at the right time. Despite concerns that the traditional techniques of
honey hunting might be in danger, the men we spoke to believe it will be kept alive by the younger generations.
www.insidehimalayas.com | By Royal Mountain Travel
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