Most interesting places around the world to do Beekeeping.

[Frabce]

I'm working on a project involving places around the world today that use hives and beekeeping methods not used in the US.  So far I've been using Eva Crane's EXCELLENT book on the history of Beekeeping (and a few of her other articles) for my project, but I've not really been able to find a lot of other resources talking about beekeeping in other countries.  That said I've divided my project roughly into European skep beekeeping, North African clay hives, Log hive beekeeping, and top bar hives (specifically ones in Vietnam).  These are historical divisions and not so much contemporary divisions (but if anyone has information on contemporary styles practiced I would be very interested)  I also threw wild honey hunting in there for good measure, mostly because its awesome. 

Does know of any good recent resources to look at for beekeeping in countries other than the US or have any personal opinions on interesting places/examples of beekeeping going on in other countries these days?

[Robo]

If your interested in ancient beekeeping methods,  I would suggest contacting Dr Ed Bez at Santa Fe Community College.  Dr. Bez is an archeologist focused on ancient beekeeping and beekeeping methods.  I understand he just got permission and will be working jointly with the state of Florida in setting up a demonstration yard of Egyptian beekeeping methods.


rob...

[irekkin]

check out the articles in the american bee journal by m. mcneil. the past few issues have articles with pics about bee keeping in france, africa, nepal and russia. very interesting.

[Kathyp]

we have a number of beekeepers here who are from other countries and may be able to point you in the right direction for info on beekeeping in their country

[tig]

some beekeepers here hive their trigona colonies using either bamboo or coconut shells.  if you wish to know how, pls email me.

[Frabce]

Ooooh cool.  Where is this at?  I thought A. trigona was mostly used in south America.  Do bamboo and coconuts grow there?

some beekeepers here hive their trigona colonies using either bamboo or coconut shells.  if you wish to know how, pls email me.

@irekkin:   do you happen to know the issue of american bee journal the article is in?  I looked in the last one and didn't see it, I'll try and find some more back issues.

[Frabce]

Also, I just want to say:  A. Trigona are GORGEOUS

[Michael Bush]

Brother Adam's "In Search of the Best Strains of Bees" goes around the world looking at both equipment and bees.

[Jim134]

How about the Al jep B (Sp) ? the Arabic hive been in use for about 2500 years in  North African



     BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)

[Coge]

Go to Google and type in The Bee Photographer or thehoneygatherers.com    There is a lot of information plus a lot of pictures from different countries.
Coge

[Boom Buzz]

I happen to be talking to a friend at church who is from South Africa.  Beekeeping came up in the discussion and he told me about a business he is involved in which imports bees wax from Zambia.  He described a beekeeping method in which the hive is made from tree bark.  The hive is destroyed at the end of the season, the honey harvested, and all the wax available (the wax is not reusable by the bees)

The links below tell a little about this beekeeping method -

http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/info/info/people/why-bother-beekeeping.shtml

http://www.tropicalforest.com/cgi-bin/website.cgi?tier1=African%20Honey&tier2=Traditional%20hives%20and%20modern%20hives

Will you make your project results available to us when you are done?

John

[Frabce]

Go to Google and type in The Bee Photographer or thehoneygatherers.com    There is a lot of information plus a lot of pictures from different countries.
Coge

Dang, those are some AMAZING photos and they've actually reassured me quite a bit that I'm not just making things up about there being a great deal of diversity in beekeeping from country to country.  I couldn't find any info on there in english though =(

I happen to be talking to a friend at church who is from South Africa.  Beekeeping came up in the discussion and he told me about a business he is involved in which imports bees wax from Zambia.  He described a beekeeping method in which the hive is made from tree bark.  The hive is destroyed at the end of the season, the honey harvested, and all the wax available (the wax is not reusable by the bees)

The links below tell a little about this beekeeping method -

Will you make your project results available to us when you are done?

John

Ho Ho Ho, yeah if I get my project approved I'll be sure to post it here.  It's pretty huge.  I do  want to look at traditional bark/log hives, but I'm not sure if I have room in the project yet.

So far I'm looking at Egypt: clay hives   Nepal: honey hunting  Vietnam: top bar hives   Brazil: stingless bee hives   the UK: sustainable beekeeping  and ???:skep beehives  (undecided on where to look yet for a good example of skep keeping)

[bee-nuts]

After reading this post last night I was reading from the ABC and XYZ of bee culture book (I hope I got the name right) and it has lots of good info you would like I'm sure.  It has a run down on known cultures that raised bees, how they kept them and I think also on different types of hives used when printed around the world.  Great book.  Pick it up if you have not read it.  I got the one I have from the library.  I like to buy books but borders never has many (bee books in stock) and I like to look at them before I buy them so I have turned to the public library which I have not been to for many years.

[Grandma_DOG]

Apis Florea beekeeping is written about here:
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198402/the.bedouin.bee.htm

And as for East African, Tanzania, PM me. I saw a bit while I was there. Mainly split log hives hoisted in trees.