The Honey Hunters of Nepal

High in the foothills of the Nepalese Himalayas, villagers of the Gurung ethnic group maintain a tradition of hunting for wild honey. In the spring of 2016 I set out into the hills with a production crew from VICE Media to document this ancient tradition.


The journey began in an SUV that pushed as far into the hills as it could go. After we had reached the limit of this machine we unloaded our gear and trekked as far into the hills as our legs would take us.

Once we reached the village that we had been searching for we were greeted by the women of the village. We were given orange Buddhist prayer scarves to bless us on our journey. The Gurung harvest honey only two times each year and for them the honey harvest is the most important event of the year. Men in the village have lost their lives in these harvests in the past and thus these hunts are taken very seriously and a high emphasis is placed on maintaining a relationship of respect between the Gurung and their natural environment.

 

 

Mixed feelings.

For the hunters, the day begins with an auspicious meal of frog leg stew.

The hunters create protective gear out of whatever resources they have. For some, this includes bits and pieces of actual beekeeping protective wear.

Others are required to be creative.

 

In the same method that has been done for centuries, the Gurung work together to construct a ladder out of wooden rungs and braided bamboo.

 

The bees construct their hives on the sides of massive cliffs. This does not stop the Gurung. Several hunters descend the ladder from above while a small group create smoke below to pacify the bees.

 


 

Chunks of honeycomb are knocked from the hives with bamboo poles and into baskets that are hoisted to the top of the cliff where the others are waiting. The honey is believed to have medicinal properties with effects ranging from easing arthritic aches and pains to inducing tactile hallucinations.


The Gurung tradition of honey hunting has been passed on for more generations than the Gurung themselves can remember. For now, it seems this tradition will continue on for many generations to come.

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Japanese Snow Monkeys

Every winter high in the snowy hills of Nagano prefecture, wild Japanese macaques can be found escaping the bitter chills of winter in the steamy geothermal hot springs that are ubiquitous in the volcanic islands of Japan. The enjoyment that these monkeys take in the hot springs is so complete that it can sometimes get a bit creepy.

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Nepal in Crisis: Madhesi Uprising

Nepal is a country inhabited by 133 ethnic groups, yet it is dominated by a power structure that empowers only those from a few elite classes. In July of 2015, members of Nepal’s Madhesi ethnic community began protesting against their marginalization in a movement that the government responded to with little compromise or willingness to accommodate this group within the national framework. Madhesi protesters created a massive blockade along the Nepal-India border that is ongoing and has lead to economic and humanitarian concerns so severe that many are calling the movement “the second earthquake.” Nearly 60 Madheshi protesters have been killed in the past five months by Nepal police forces and there is currently no resolution in sight to this struggle.

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Tsukiji Fish Market: Endangered Tradition

On the lower west side of Tokyo along the Tokyo Bay lies the cultural powerhouse of Tsukiji fish market. The market has been running in its current location since 1935. Fish retailers wake up before the crack of dawn to prepare for the day’s sales, which begin as early as 4:30AM at the infamous tuna auctions, reach fever pitch by 9:00AM, and are usually over by around noon. To those that work there, Tsukiji is more than just a market—it is a symbol of Japan and a way of life that has been passed down for generations. To the dismay of both fishermen and those who have frequented the market over the years, the market will permanently relocate in November of this year away from central Tokyo for safety concerns and in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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The Quake

In April and May 2015, two major earthquakes rocked the small hilly nation of Nepal. This photoessay takes you to ground-zero of the destruction and loss—demolished villages, abandoned schools, monasteries covered in concrete dust. The Nepali people spent no time in inaction feeling sorry for themselves, and this essay also serves to capture the spirit of hope and togetherness that was born from these challenges, in spite of the obstacles that had to be faced along the way.

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