Rafter Beekeeping
A few words about the Rafter Beekeeping tradition in NW Cambodia...
A tradition hidden from the outside world until 2004, rafter beekeeping has been practiced in the shadow of Angkor Wat since the days of Suryavarman II—for all we know.
What is known is that the tradition of Rafter Beekeeping near Siem Reap is confined now to just one area--a community where the practice of one-cut-take-all harvesting, combined with deforestation and habitant loss, has taken its toll on the local honeybee population. Honey-hunters and rafter-beekeepers here have noticed the decline for years. They accepted it for what it was. But they've now come to realize that the decisions they make--in particular, to harvest sustainably or not--impact both the bees and their own livelihoods.
If you’re in Siem Reap, are passionate about honeybees, and would like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a Cambodian honey-hunter/rafter beekeeper, watch him at work, or just observe rafter beekeeping up close, contact Bees Unlimited to book a Bee Tour... keeping in mind that rafter beekeeping in the Siem Reap area is a seasonal activity, normally best observed during the months of November to April.
