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Yucatán Women Protect 'Sacred Maya Bee' From Extinction
8 Sep
Summary
- Women are preserving the stingless Melipona bee, vital to Mexico's ecosystems.
- Melipona honey offers medicinal properties due to unique foraging habits.
- This tradition empowers women financially and safeguards Maya ancestral culture.
Women in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula are safeguarding the Melipona bee, an ancestral stingless species critical to regional ecosystems. This group, known as the Melipona Bee Guardians Network, is preserving meliponiculture, a thousand-year-old Maya tradition. Their work is essential as the disappearance of this bee would disrupt tropical environments and impact food security.
The Melipona bee is native to the Yucatán Peninsula and is known for its docile nature and the unique medicinal properties of its honey. Unlike European bees, Melipona bees forage on medicinal plants, resulting in honey richer in fructose and beneficial for the immune system, wound healing, and skin products.
Founded in 2012, the network supports women, overcoming barriers to market their products. The initiative, aided by the nonprofit Educampo, provides training in leadership and sustainable practices. For many women, like Manuela Yam Pech, it offers financial independence, enabling them to support their families and pursue personal goals.
Despite its value, Melipona honey faces challenges due to lower production yields compared to other bee species and a lack of widespread awareness. The bees and their environment are threatened by climate change, deforestation, and pesticide use, making the guardians' mission increasingly vital for biodiversity and cultural preservation.
