smoke the hives, the Kurumbas and lrulas climbed up and started to gather the honey. Unfortunately, when most of the honey had been harvested, the tree that was bent under the weight of the hives, now straightened up and the Kurumba and Irulas were catapulted off and some killed. The Todas went back home with all the honey!
various rituals too, honey plays an important role: honey is one of the items placed in a bowl in the embroidered cloak of the deceased during the funeral ceremonies as a requisite for the departing spirit to consume en route to the after world. During the wedding ceremonies, the bride is expected to place some food stuff at the base of the tree - Eugenia arnottiana, including a piece of honey comb. In
Honey
is
traditionally added copiously
to sacred food during important dairy temple festivals. Needless to add, honey still remains an important regular source of nourishment to the
Todas.
The Todas have also observed that seven species of pollinating bees favour certain wild flower species that are in bloom and this gives the honey harvested from that area a distinct flavour. There is an ancient song that mentions this. It describes the 6, 12 and year cyclic flowering strobilanthes and many other different flowers and which bees are attracted to which flower. This explains the deep knowledge that the Todas have as regards the specific honey bee pollinators of different wild flowers. The cyclically flowering species of strobilanthes or kurinji are known to produce exceptional medicinal properties in honey harvested in their environs. 18
ground orchid Calanthe triplicata which means honey leaves. These large perennial leaves can be fabricated to hold harvested honey when no other vessel is at hand and the hence the name. There is a bird (the shikra) which means honey drinker. There are stories of how this bird located hives of rock bees and in turn leads the Todas to these hives hidden in deep rocky crevices! In Toda embroidery, there is a traditional motif which is based on the honey comb There is
a
pattern.
Although down the ages, the Todas have harvested honey from different species of bees and locations, today it is only collected from tree sites. Most Toda males know of several ancient hives that are shown to them from one generation to another. These hives (of Apis cerana) are located within hollows of ancient trees and the orifices are covered with cap stone(s) that leave an opening large enough for the bees to go in and out. Every year, during the dry season, the Toda
by over flying bees. It is fascinating to see Todas finding ‘new’ hives by following these ‘pekk’ pollen markings. Once discovered and harvested, he finds a stone that will fit the orifice and puts it in place. In time, this will become a traditional hive.
There are several ritualistic rules of purity to maintain the sanctity of traditional honey gathering. Transgression of these rules can result even in death. Very close to an ancient funeral site, there are some magnificient pre-historic rock paintings on sheer rock faces that portray distinct honey gathering sequences. If the Todas were indeed the creators of this very ancient rock are, then we know that honey hunting is tirmly embedded in the Toda genes.
visits these tree hives often situated in remote areas. He removes the cap stone, puts his hand up into the
hollow and draws only the outer portion of the honey combs. The brood portion is left untouched. No smoke or other irritants are ever used. it is a very eco-friendly way of honey gathering. After
harvesting and performing some rituals, he replaces the cap stone of the tree orifice and he will not return until another year.
New hives in the hollows of trees (without cap stones} can also be detected
-
usually by looking for’pekk’ or droppings
4
os
ca
of pollen onto leaves (esp. Rhododendron)
A Toda observing Apis cerana
in his traditional bee tree
for Development puluics!:
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