The Honey Hunters

From a time tucked deep in the folds of history, in the heart of the 130 million year old Peninsular Malaysian Rainforest, emerged a few skilled and daring individuals known as honey hunters.

The Traditions of Honey Hunting

dates back centuries, even before written language. The honey hunters were respected members of their community, and their expertise was highly sought after. They explored the forest, using their knowledge of bloom cycles and migratory patterns to locate hives.

Navigating the rainforest -

Your average individual would be lost forever in the wilds of the jungle. After just a few "klicks" even getting back to where you started would be a feat requiring great skill. The jungle has a way of turning you around. Many have tried with compass and bravery, only to find out that there are many lost skills needed to properly remember your path and forge ahead wisely. The local and indigenous can find exact trees after months away from a particular part of the forest.

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Although centuries have passed

the tradition continues. Our honey hunters are a team of 60, each one with a particular set of skills in bee reconnaissance. They are like a swarm of bees themselves, moving in harmony with nature, tracking the bees' movements and keeping a keen nose out for their sweet scent. As they journey deep into the forest, they believe that good things must be shared and beautiful things must be spread.

Once the climber reached the hive

Once the hives are located, the extractors swing into action, climbing up to heights of over 120 feet, atop the jungle canopy, to sample the wares. Only 8 of our honey hunters are skilled enough for this task, it takes an incredible amount of experience and skill to extract the honey. They endure enumerable stings without losing their mental acuity or balance. These extractors are like acrobats in the tree tops, using their expert knowledge to gauge the quality of the honey for harvesting.

It is not just a simple matter of collecting honey

the hunters must inspect the honeycomb to determine if it is worth extracting, and then taste the honey on the spot, out on a limb, high up in the air. It is an exhilarating experience, but not without its risks. The Apis Dorsata's sting contained more potent venom than its European counterpart, and multiple stings could lead to serious symptoms.

Despite the risks

The honey hunters bravely continue their journey, driven by their passion for the rare and wild honey that only the giant honey bee can produce. It is a journey that requires skill, daring, and a deep respect for nature. They possess a deep drive to satisfy the delights of those who love the honey, long for its many wonderful properties and are privileged enough to experience it.

Fun Fact (or not so fun):

The Apis Dorsata's sting contains more potent venom than its European counterpart. Multiple stings can lead to serious symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. For people who are allergic to bee venom, a sting from the Apis Dorsata can be life-threatening, leading to anaphylactic shock and difficulty breathing.

Our climbers are accustomed to being stung and exhibit very little reaction if any at all to its effects!