Stingless bees (Meliponini) have been ecologically, economically, and culturally important throughout the Western Hemisphere {1}. For thousands of years Maya people have practiced bee husbandry and utilized the Meliponini honey for religious and medicinal purposes {6}. Although multiple Meliponini species were incorporated into the Maya culture, the favorite and most popular species was the Melipona beecheii.
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Melipona Beecheii USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
Composition of Melipona Honey
Like all the Meliponini bees, Melipona produce their honey in storage pots {3}. Melipona’s honey composition contrasts with the common honey produced by Apis mellifera. Melipona’s water content is between 20% to 40% whereas A. mellifera honey only reaches 20% {2}. Because Melipona honey surpasses 20% of water content, international regulations don’t classify it as being actual honey {4}. Another characteristic that distinguishes Melipona honey from A. mellifera honey is the acidity. Bacteriologist discovered high levels of Bacillus within the honey, contributing to the high acidic content. Bacillus also inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria {5}.
Melipona hives: EFE-EPA/Christian Dreckmann/Conabio
Medical Purposes
Honey was of great importance for Maya people in treating wounds and illnesses. Ricardo Ossado, an eighteenth-century Italian physician, detailed the Maya use of honey in the manuscript “Libro del Judio” while living on the Yucatan Peninsula. The manuscript identified multiple ways in which honey treated aliments. Honey was applied directly onto burnt skin or was incorporated in an ointment to be used as an anti-inflammatory. Maya people also recognized its potential for aiding the treatment of illnesses including fever, and diseases of the digestive tract. Unfortunately, with the pressure brought on by Spanish colonialism, the use of honey in traditional medicine has dwindled {5}.
Religious Purposes
Honey was revered within Maya culture largely because of its medicinal purposes. Stingless bees were named xunan kab, meaning principal or royal lady. In some cases bees were even depicted as gods such as Ah-Muzen-Cab. This god can be found on ceremonial temples within the Yucatan Peninsula. Honey was also incorporated in religious ceremonies. Balche, a type of mead, made from honey and the bark of Lonchocarpus violaceus was commonly used during these ceremonies {1} .
Present Challenges
Many factors have contributed to the decline of Maya beekeeping and Meliponini. Competition of the introduced African Apis mellifera, deforestation, hurricane damage, natural enemies, lack of instruction for new stingless bee keepers, or lack of economic incentives have all contribute to this decline {7}. These external factors have driven Maya beekeeping to near extinction. Yet, within Quintana Roo, Rebecca Kessler of Mongabay News explores the continuation of the ancient Maya practice. Melitz’aak, a Maya women’s beekeeping cooperative, continues traditional bee husbandry with Melipona bees. Benefits of the traditional beekeeping can be seen within the local market demand for this honey. Although European and Africanized honey bees produce 10 times more honey per hive, Melipona honey can sell for 25 times more. Additionally, Melitz’aak have been using native stingless bee honey for traditional medicinal uses {4}.
References:
{1} Ayala R., Gonzalez V.H., Engel M.S. (2013) Mexican Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae): Diversity, Distribution, and Indigenous Knowledge. In: Vit P., Pedro S., Roubik D. (eds) Pot-Honey. Springer, New York, NY
{2} Cardona, Yaneth, et al. "Differentiation of Honey from Melipona Species using Differential Scanning Calorimetry." Food Analytical Methods, vol. 11, no. 4, 2018, pp. 1056-1067.
{3} De Camargo J.M.F. (2013) Historical Biogeography of the Meliponini (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae) of the Neotropical Region. In: Vit P., Pedro S., Roubik D. (eds) Pot-Honey. Springer, New York, NY
{4} Kessler, Rebecca. House of the Royal Lady Bee: Maya Revive Native Bees and Ancient Beekeeping. Newstex, Menlo Park, 2019.
{5} Rosales G.R.O. (2013) Medicinal Uses of Melipona beecheii Honey, by the Ancient Maya. In: Vit P., Pedro S., Roubik D. (eds) Pot-Honey. Springer, New York, NY
{6} Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. "Mayan Stingless Bee Keeping: Going, Going, Gone?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 June 2005. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050615062105.htm>.
{7} Villanueva-G, Rogel, David W. Roubik, and Wilberto Colli-Ucán. "Extinction of Melipona Beecheii and Traditional Beekeeping in the Yucatán Peninsula." Bee World, vol. 86, no. 2, 2005, pp. 35-41.
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