Deep in the heart of Nepal, high above the forested valleys, an ancient and perilous tradition continues—honey hunting. For generations, the Gurung people have risked their lives scaling sheer cliffs to harvest wild honey, using nothing but handmade rope ladders and bamboo poles.
Award-winning travel photographer Andrew Newey documented this breathtaking ritual, capturing the raw intensity and bravery of these hunters as they face swarms of giant bees and the ever-present danger of falling.
A Battle Against Gravity and Nature
Twice a year, these fearless hunters embark on their high-stakes mission. They climb towering rock faces, armed with tangos—long, sharp bamboo sticks used to slice through the massive beehives clinging to the cliffs. Before making their ascent, they light fires at the base to create smoke, a technique passed down through countless generations to pacify the bees.
But this is no ordinary honey—it’s harvested from the Himalayan honey bee, the world’s largest, growing up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) long. In spring, these bees feed on white rhododendron nectar, producing a rare, intoxicating honey sought after in Japan, Korea, and China for its supposed medicinal and hallucinogenic properties.
A Tradition as Old as Time
The art of honey hunting is believed to stretch back thousands of years. A prehistoric cave painting in Spain, estimated to be over 8,000 years old, depicts a figure scaling vines to collect honey—proof that humans have pursued this golden nectar since ancient times.
But in Nepal, this tradition is at risk. Modernization, deforestation, and a declining bee population threaten the survival of the Gurung honey hunters’ way of life. What was once a sacred and communal practice is now fading, making Newey’s striking images even more powerful—a glimpse into a vanishing world.
A Tradition Worth Preserving
Honey hunting is more than just a means of gathering food; it’s a testament to the deep bond between humans and nature. It represents resilience, courage, and the wisdom of ancestral knowledge. As the world moves forward, traditions like these remind us of the extraordinary skills and survival instincts that have carried humanity through the ages.
Would you dare to climb these cliffs in search of nature’s sweetest treasure?
