Blessed bees and their honey as a way to make a living
Have you ever considered honey as more than just a sweet treat? In Ethiopia, it's not just food - it's a blessing, a livelihood, and a connection to the divine. Pascal Vasselin's film "Master of Bees - Bees in service of faith" takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of Ethiopian beekeeping, where ancient traditions and modern challenges create a unique honey-flavoured tapestry.
Let's explore this incredible world where bees aren't just kept—they're revered.
The Sweet Significance: Bees in Ethiopian Culture
In Ethiopia, bees hold a sacred status. The film showcases how churches house beehives, and honey is seen as a gift from God. It's a beautiful demonstration of the harmony between faith and nature, all centered around these tiny, buzzing creatures.
But it's not just about spirituality. As the film reveals, beekeeping is a crucial part of many Ethiopians' livelihoods. From small-scale farmers to large cooperatives, honey production offers a sweet way to make a living in a country where agricultural opportunities can be limited.
For more on the economic impact of beekeeping globally, check out our article on The Hidden Challenges and Rewards of Beekeeping.
A Hive of Activity: Inside Kirkos Church
The film takes us inside Kirkos Church, where we see not just worshippers, but also several thriving beehives. These aren't typical wooden boxes, but traditional, cylindrical hives made from local materials like bamboo and mud.
What's truly remarkable is how the church and the bees coexist. The gentle hum of the hives blends with the chants of prayer, creating a unique atmosphere of reverence and natural harmony. It's a powerful visual representation of the integration of beekeeping into spiritual life.
Wax On, Wax Off: The Sacred Art of Candle Making
"Master of Bees" showcases how the beeswax from these holy hives isn't just a byproduct - it's a blessed material used to create sacred candles. The film captures skilled craftsmen carefully melting down the wax and shaping it into candles, each carrying not just the light of the flame, but also the blessing of the bees and the church.
It's a beautiful cycle: the bees create the wax, the wax becomes candles, and the candles light the church where the bees live. This segment of the film perfectly illustrates how beekeeping in Ethiopia is woven into the very fabric of spiritual life.
Blessed wax: Skilled hands transform holy beeswax into sacred candles. This image illustrates the reverence for bee products in Ethiopian Christianity and the traditional craftsmanship highlighted in the film.
The Holy Harvest: A Sacred Ceremony
The film's depiction of honey harvesting in Ethiopia is truly eye-opening. It's not just a task - it's a ceremony. As the sun sets, the air fills with the sweet smell of incense. Prayers are chanted as the beekeeper, often a priest or a respected elder approaches the hives.
The harvest is done with utmost care and respect for the bees. No smoke is used to calm them - instead, the beekeeper relies on gentle movements and, as the film suggests, divine protection. The first drops of honey are often given as an offering, a thank you to God for the sweet bounty.
Lalibela: Where Honey Meets Holy
"Master of Bees" takes us to Lalibela, often called the Mecca of Ethiopian Christianity. The film shows it's not just famous for its rock-hewn churches - it's also a hub for honey production and trade.
Sweet commerce in holy land: The vibrant honey market of Lalibela, where spirituality meets trade. Vendors compete to sell their blessed honey, reflecting the economic importance of beekeeping in this sacred city as shown in 'Master of Bees'.
The honey market in Lalibela, as captured in the film, is a sight to behold. Vendors line the streets with jars of golden honey, each claiming theirs is the sweetest, the purest, the most blessed. The competition is fierce, but it's all done with a sense of community and shared purpose.
For more on honey varieties globally, have a look at our article on The Variety of Honey Bees: Understanding Different Species.
Challenges and Changes: The Future of Ethiopian Beekeeping
While celebrating these traditional practices, the film doesn't shy away from the challenges. Climate change, deforestation, and modernization are all putting pressure on these ancient practices.
The film shows some beekeepers adopting modern hives and techniques, hoping to increase production. Others are steadfastly sticking to traditional methods, believing that the blessings of their bees depend on maintaining these age-old practices.
It's a delicate balance that the film captures beautifully: how do you preserve a sacred tradition while also adapting to a changing world?
The Sweet Lessons of Ethiopian Beekeeping
"Master of Bees - Bees in service of faith" offers a powerful reminder of the deep connections between nature, spirituality, and human livelihood. It showcases a relationship built on respect, gratitude, and a deep understanding of the natural world.
The film invites us to reflect on our own relationship with nature and food. Perhaps we can all learn something from the reverence with which Ethiopians treat their bees and honey. After all, every drop of honey is a little miracle, a blessing from the natural world to us.
And isn't that a sweet thought to end on?
