
Honey Hunting - the sweet adventure
“The rock is their mother, the rope is their father and the tree on top of the cliff is their anna (elder brother)”
- Honey Trails in the Blue Mountains
“The rock is their mother, the rope is their father and the tree on top of the cliff is their anna (elder brother)”
- Honey Trails in the Blue Mountains
Honey hunting is a mysterious and ancient activity. It is a tribal tradition, surrounded by folklore, rituals and a deep connection and reverence of nature and the sweet nectar she provides. The art of honey hunting is a dangerous pursuit up tall trees and down treacherous cliffs – but it is also a community effort. No man hunts honey alone.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to major honey-producing zones, with massive honey cliffs or bee-nesting trees present in large numbers across the landscpae. Honey hunters maintain and preserve this unique practice, and the art of honey collection in the Nilgiris is a source of pride for the communities which continue their ancient traditions.