The Bright SideAs beekeeper Mosad Al-Humairi watched his truck loaded with beehives teeter on a muddy road, his heart sank.
The journey from Ibb to Al-Usaymat, meant to boost his bees' productivity, turned perilous due to relentless rainfall.
Al-Humairi's world froze as he feared losing half his bees while his sons tried to stabilize the truck.
After a week wait for better weather, he embarked on a nighttime journey, racing against the precious blooming Sidr flowers that yield Yemen's acclaimed honey.
The age-old practice of Tazeeb, or seasonal migration, is essential for Yemeni beekeepers.
Moving with the bloom cycles has become crucial in a country facing climate change, helping keep bee populations thriving despite harsh conditions.
Yemen’s migratory apiaries have a remarkable impact: beehive numbers surged over 100,000 between 2017 and 2020! Al-Humairi's own beehives grew from 61 to 97 since adopting Tazeeb, showcasing its benefits.
The Sidr honey season is eagerly awaited, with beekeepers migrating to areas dense with this prized plant.
However, alongside fierce competition for resources, they face threats, from pesticides to illegal logging of Sidr trees.
20-year-old Montaser Al-Harazi spends his life on the move with the bees, guarding against predators and learning to survive in a shifting world.
"I live like the bees now, always moving, never settling," he reflects on the challenges he faces.
Check the full content here: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/yemeni-tradition-bees-tazeeb/.
