Beekeeping with Indigenous People in the Amazon

Tarkis nimbly separated the delicate brood layers of a colony, expertly narrating her process to the three cameras trained on her every move. Alongside her 15-year-old daughter, together they adeptly demonstrated and patiently explained the crucial steps for multiplying stingless bee colonies in a series of six video tutorials we produced in collaboration with Maijuna beekeepers. In total, 15 Maijuna stingless beekeepers took center stage in these tutorials, created primarily for aspiring rural Amazonian beekeepers to learn directly from their peers. 

We produced nearly 1.5 hours of in-depth instruction to equip beekeepers with the basics of stingless bee husbandry in the Peruvian Amazon. These educational tools guide viewers through the intricacies of stingless beekeeping covering everything from the social structure of a colony to managing and multiplying hives to pest control and, ultimately, the sustainable harvesting of honey.

We are as enthusiastic about the process as we are the product. Together with the Maijuna beekeepers we created the storyboard and validated the educational points. Over three weeks we filmed with the beekeepers from three different communities to carefully document their expertise. We incorporated stunning scenes from daily life that the beekeepers deemed representative. This approach ensures that both the Maijuna and new beekeepers in other communities can visually connect with the screen, seeing themselves alongside their bees and expertise.

The videos are already being used to accelerate learning. Aspiring beekeepers throughout the region are referencing the videos as they practice management techniques. The integration of these videos into theoretical and practical workshops enhances the learning experience, providing additional reinforcement to learning objectives. Now published on YouTube and OnePlanet’s website, the tutorials are widely available and people in rural communities are able to watch the videos thanks to the increasing availability of smart phones and satellite internet. These tools are effectively extending the reach and impact of our community-based stingless beekeeping project and the conservation of native bee diversity.

Thanks to you as well as all of our collaborating institutions for supporting the stingless beekeepers in the Amazon. A special acknowledgement of ACEER, Uare Yojuna, La Restinga, Explorama, Camino Verde, and Troubled Genius Media. Each of your contributions made these videos a reality, ultimately helping to magnify the impact of the Maijuna’s environmentally and economically sustainable work. Please enjoy the videos and share!  

Links:

• Enjoy the videos on our website!
• Find the tutorials on YouTube, too!