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Beekeeping in U Minh Ha has long been a distinctive traditional profession, providing a livelihood for many residents in Cà Mau.
Discovering the art of beekeeping in U Minh Ha.
During the months of November and December each year, when the U Minh forest is adorned with blooming reed flowers, various bee species flock to select inclined reed branches to build their hives. Aware of this pattern, the inhabitants living amidst the vast reed forest have observed the nesting habits of honeybees, specifically their preference for constructing hives on slanted tree trunks resembling the rafters of a house. As a result, they have delved into understanding, researching, and innovating the craft of beekeeping.
Regarding the timing of beekeeping, it typically occurs towards the end of the year. This period serves as an opportunity for skilled artisans to showcase their craftsmanship and experience, while also being the primary source of income for numerous households engaged in the beekeeping profession. From May to August, these forest workers continue their beekeeping duties. However, the quality of honey during the water season is not comparable to that of the dry season.
This is a demanding job that requires skills and a commitment to safety throughout the trapping process to avoid potential health issues. Prior to carrying out beekeeping, it is essential to implement proper protective measures and prepare the necessary beekeeping tools, including the rafter body, supporting pole, and netting stick. Typically made from reed, the rafters have a smooth surface with a diameter ranging from 10-15 cm, stripped of bark and left to dry. Before taking them into the forest, a layer of beeswax is often applied to attract scouting bees.
Gazing at the bee's frame requires a skilled artisan, not everyone can handle the task. To successfully gaze at the bee's frame, one must choose a position where sunlight shines on both sides of the frame, meaning that there should be sunlight exposure on both sides at any given time. The frame is gazed in the shape of a house roof. The optimal time for gazing is from sunrise until 9 in the morning because at this time, the direction of the sunrise is accurately determined. After preparing everything, all traces must be erased, as any disturbance will prevent the bees from building their hive. Experienced artisans can predict when the bees will come to build their hive and when to return to check the results.
It is known that the time bees build their hive is around 20 to 30 days, but sometimes, bees are already building in the morning or afternoon of the gazing day. When the bee's hive is completely sealed with no openings, honey can be harvested, usually around 20 days after gazing. For frames without bees, a check should be conducted on the terrain, light, wind direction, etc., to make necessary adjustments.
To harvest honey, the artisan must bring a basket, a scraping box, a bunch of coconut fiber, or dried palm leaves, a knife, and a mesh face cover. Afterward, the artisan selects a convenient location, upwind, to light a fire, sometimes using a long pole to bring the fire closer to the hive. When encountering pungent smoke, bees fly away. The artisan uses a knife to cut the honeycomb, separating the honey from the wax, then trims the darkened wax, leaving about a third of the comb for the bees to build a new hive.
During the bee gazing process, if the bees detect and attack, it is essential to run against the wind. Being stung by bees is a common occurrence, and sometimes encounters with venomous snakes or wild boars happen; the response varies depending on the situation. Therefore, each beekeeping group usually consists of three or more people to support each other.
According to Mytour
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MytourDecember 8, 2022
