Marcio Karai, a beekeeper in Brazil, protects native stingless bees and preserves the Guarani Indigenous people’s generations-old knowledge. But the bees face growing threats.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
On the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Marcio Karai is setting up a new hive for stingless Mirim bees. The beekeeper is member of the Guarani, one of South America’s largest indigenous groups. His community has been passing down knowledge about caring for native bees for generations. “Our elders are very concerned about the disappearance of these native species that they have always worked with,” he says.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
In the heart of the Jaragua indigenous territory, where the Atlantic Rainforest is increasingly giving way to the ever-expanding city of Sao Paulo, 42-year-old Karai is dedicated to protecting native bees. There, he relocates bee colonies to new hives and cares for a total of 13 different species, including Mirim and Jataí bees.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
Karai carefully removes brood chambers and honeycombs from the old beehive, their scent attracts the bees to their new home. He then equips the wooden box with everything the colony needs to survive. His community sees itself as the “guardians of these species,” whose survival, according to Karai, is crucial for the ecosystem, for people, and for future generations.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
Although the Mirim bees and other species that Karai cares for are not currently considered critically endangered, the dedicated beekeeper views their future with concern. Changing ecosystems, as well as climate change, deforestation, and pesticides, are placing increasing strain on wild pollinators worldwide. About 90% of wild plants and 75% of food crops depend on pollination.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
The care of stingless bees, also known as meliponiculture, differs significantly from traditional beekeeping in Europe and North America. Although less honey is harvested, it is often considered to be of particularly high quality. The bees are also much smaller than species such as the Western honeybee, which use their stingers to aggressively defend their hives.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
Scientists have so far recorded about 300 species of stingless bees in Brazil. However, according to Osmar Malaspina, coordinator of a research group on ecotoxicology and bee conservation at the Universidade Estadual Paulista in Sao Paulo, other species may have already disappeared as a result of expanding agriculture and the associated loss of habitat.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
The honey and wax produced by stingless bees also hold special significance in the religious ceremonies of the Guarani community. During rituals, beeswax candles illuminate the altar and symbolize the community’s unity. They are made by Guarani women, who play an important role in the spiritual tradition.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
“It’s through song that the voice of the Guarani people reaches (our god) Nhanderu. Candles and the smoke from the burning wax carry that song up to Nhanderu’s heaven,” says Karai. The bee conservationist is preserving the family tradition and hopes that his son will carry it on as well. At the same time, however, he is already concerned about the interest of future generations.
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS
Karai feels a special connection to the Jataí bee among the species he protects. He sees its survival in the face of many threats as a sign of spiritual protection. “Even though non-Indigenous peoples tried to eliminate us, we resisted,” he told Reuters. “We understand that the Jatai bees are also experiencing this same process of resistance.”
Image: Amanda Perobelli/REUTERS9 images1 | 99 imageshttps://p.dw.com/p/5IOds
About The Author
