Kenya camping:Traditional bee-hive

A long the valley of the Tugen hills where Tugen community live, which are the sub-tribe of kalenjin enrolled themselves in bee keeping by use of traditional bee-hive. Structure  It is a simple log cut out from a specific trunk of tree, then split into two equal parts where the inner parts are chopped to make a hollow sample. The parts are smoothen regularly so as to allow further finishing. Blood from the Zebu male cattle plus the cow dug are smired to the inner parts to enhance attraction of the bees into the bee hive .After all these have been accomplished the bee hive is kept between two to three days to dry up completely. Rituals The old men from the same age mates just between the age of sixty and seventy years are called upon to do a ritual sacrifices where a white he goat is slaughtered as a way of blessing the owner of the bee hive to get the best honey and as well enabling the bees not to be so wild when harvesting honey. The bee hive is ready to be put in place. It is taken to a big acacia tree close to a water source then it is hung in one of the branches where it will be possible to stand when harvesting honey. After sometimes between two to three weeks the bees are seen moving in and out, some collecting nectars while others are responsible of securing the bee hive. Usually the bees makes the honey in the upper inner half bee hive while they settled in the lower half part .The honey is made in bundles depending on the size of the bee hive; The bigger the hive the more the honey bundle. Honey harvest The honey is harvested after three months time. Traditionally the honey is harvested in two ways; the first method the honey is harvested by use of smoke from a burned dry wood. The young men climb up the tree with a burning wood at night with an interest of harvesting honey from the bee hive. He also carry with him a skin bag (tokol) where honey is kept. The chopping sticks are another requirement for opening the bee hive and cutting the honey bundles. The second method; this is done during the day where no equipment is used to chase the bees a way, only one smire himself with a thick clay to his body,face,hands and legs and anywhere in the body to facilitate better security. When the honey is harvested, it is purify for a better storage. The honey is put into a clean containers and left in hot sun. .The honey melts to its point then all wax are sieved and kept in a clean dry container for future use. Importance The honey is not eaten more often as people thought but is kept for special occasions. The honey is a source of energy, as medicinal value, and also used to make local brews for ritual ceremonies such as circumcision, marriage and rain making. Most of it is sold to organizations and business people who then process and sell locally to export.