The Tradition of Telling the Bees
Exploring an Ancient Beekeeping Custom
The tradition of telling the bees is a charming and enduring ritual deeply rooted in the world of beekeeping. Stemming from the belief that bees are integral members of the family, beekeepers of the past would communicate significant household events to their hives, especially deaths, but also including births, marriages, and departures or arrivals. The practice speaks to the profound connection between humans and nature, embodying the idea that this bond was not only physical through the act of beekeeping but also spiritual and communicative.
Traces of this custom can be found throughout history, predominantly in Western Europe, and the practice was especially prevalent during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was thought that failing to inform the bees of major family events could result in dire consequences, such as the bees leaving the hive, decreasing honey (What wine goes well with honey?) production, or even dying. Bee folklore held that maintaining a good relationship with the bees was crucial for the success of the hive and the prosperity of the beekeeper’s family.
This tradition also underscores the cultural significance that bees held in various societies. In Celtic mythology, bees were often linked to wisdom and immortality, and there are reports suggesting that the tradition may have originated from such mythologies. The ritual of telling the bees highlights the respect and reverence these insects commanded, reflecting the idea that bees are not mere pollinators but vital participants in the cycle of life that connects all living things.
Historical and Cultural Origins of the Ritual
The ritual of "telling the bees" is a beekeeping tradition with roots steeped in ancient history. Its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint, but it is widely believed to have connections to Celtic mythology. The tradition intertwines with the idea that bees are not just insects but also carriers of wisdom and messengers from the gods.
In ancient societies such as Egypt and Greece, bees were often considered sacred and thought to possess a higher understanding of the natural world. They were linked to life and death, which is reflected in the custom of informing them about major family events, especially deaths, as a kind of mourning process.
The practice typically involves the beekeeper—intimately connected with his hives—communicating occurrences like deaths to prevent the colony from abandoning the hive or dying. The bees, as an extension of the family, were expected to be notified out of respect and superstition.
American poet John Greenleaf Whittier penned a poem titled "Telling the Bees," published in 1858, which depicted this ritual and helped to solidify its cultural significance in the public consciousness. In recent times, this ritual was observed following the death of Queen Elizabeth; John Chapple, the Royal Beekeeper, was reported to have performed this ritual, embodying the continuous thread of this tradition in beekeeping communities.
Through such acts, the custom persists, suggesting a timeless bond between bees and their keepers, one that surpasses mere farming practice to encompass a profound recognition of the bees' place within human life and death.
The Ritual and Its Significance
The practice of telling the bees is a beekeeping tradition steeped in superstition, symbolizing the connection between the bees and their keeper. It underscores a belief in the importance of including bees in family events, reflecting their integral role in the household's life and well-being.
The Beekeeper's Role
The beekeeper serves a crucial role in this ritual as the communicator between the human and natural world. They are seen as the bridge that conveys significant life events to the hive. This includes informing the bees of deaths, births, and marriages within the beekeeper's family. It is the beekeeper's responsibility to ensure the bees are notified to preserve the harmony and health of the colony.
The Ritual Process
The process of telling the bees typically involves the beekeeper approaching the hives and speaking to the bees in a solemn manner. When there is a death, it's traditional to drape the hive with a black cloth to signify mourning. In some instances, the bees are told after a funeral to allow them to grieve with the family. It's also common practice to update the bees on celebratory events, sharing the household's joy.
Symbolism and Superstitions
Telling the bees is rich in symbolism, with the bees representing a link to the spiritual realm or acting as messengers. The tradition is rooted in the superstition that failing to inform the bees of significant events, particularly deaths, would lead to misfortune such as the bees leaving the hive or dying. The black cloth is a potent symbol of mourning, reflecting the deep connection between the bees and their keeper. The ritual underscores the longstanding superstition regarding the bees' role as part of the family and a symbol of continuity and resilience within the community.
Ritual Variations Across Cultures
The tradition of telling the bees has manifested differently around the world, influenced by regional beliefs and customs.
European Practices
In Germany, it was common to speak to the bees as if they were members of the family, informing them of important events, particularly deaths, to involve them in the mourning process. Beekeepers in Brittany and Wales also participated in this ritual, with the Welsh draping the hive with a mourning cloth. Switzerland and Bohemia had similar customs, reflecting a widespread European belief in the bees' role within the household and the need to respect them as sentient contributors to the family's welfare.
In France and the Netherlands, the practices evolved to include not only informing the bees of a death but also of joyous events like weddings, signaling the bees' integral role in both sorrow and celebration.
American Adaptations
When the tradition crossed the Atlantic, beekeepers in New England adapted the ritual to fit their context. They would tell the bees about family happenings, ensuring the insects were kept abreast of changes to prevent them from leaving the hive or stopping honey production. While these American adaptations held on to the core European elements of communication and inclusion, they also reflected a more practical approach, emphasizing the operational success of the hive alongside the bees' role in the domestic sphere.
Incorporating the Ritual in Modern Beekeeping
Modern beekeepers maintain a variety of traditions, with some continuing to adopt the practice of "telling the bees" during crucial events in their lives. This custom, where beekeepers inform their hives of significant happenings such as weddings or funerals, reflects an enduring respect for the relationship between humans and bees. It's a ritual that not only honors the superstitions of old but also acknowledges the bees' importance to the apiary's success.
In present-day beekeeping, incorporating this ritual has been more about preserving heritage and fostering the emotional connection between beekeepers and their colonies. Beekeepers in North America and elsewhere may choose to inform their bees as a symbolic gesture that strengthens their bond with the insects that are central to honey production.
Key events where beekeepers might engage in telling the bees include:
Installation of a new queen: Recognizing the bees’ need for a stable hierarchy.
Honey harvest: Celebrating the collective achievement of a successful harvest.
Arrival of a new beekeeper: Introducing themselves as part of the apiary community.
Beekeeping blogs and online forums often share experiences or advice on how to continue these sentimental practices. Here, both seasoned and novice beekeepers can exchange their secrets and stories, keeping the tradition alive within the digital age.
While the scientific community may not support any tangible benefits to the practice, many beekeepers view it as a valuable aspect of their craft. It helps to reinforce a positive and notable sentiment toward the bees—creatures that not only support biodiversity but have become synonymous with diligence and cooperation.
Ceremonial Elements and Their Symbolism
Telling the bees is a ritual that symbolizes the deep relationship between bees and their keepers. It is steeped in symbolism and tradition, reflecting the respect and reverence humans have for nature.
Lace: During various ceremonies, especially in weddings, lace might be draped over the hives as a sign of celebration.
Wedding and Marriages: Additionally, bees would be told of marriages, an event associated with joy and prosperity. The sharing of such news promised good luck and the bees' blessing.
Beehive: Central to the ritual, the beehive represents the home of the bees and a symbol of the close-knit community, mirroring human societal structures.
Flowers and Wedding Cake: Flowers, often left by the hive during such rituals, are a nod to the bees' role in pollination. A piece of wedding cake sometimes offered to the hive signifies the sharing of bounty and joy.
Nature and Respect: Notifying bees of important events demonstrates deep respect for nature and its cycles.
Sad News: In the event of sad news like a death, the bees are informed to share in the communal mourning, reflecting the belief that bees are part of the family.
Wine: Sometimes, wine is used in these ceremonies. A few drops sprinkled at the hive serves as both offering and symbol of shared sorrow or celebration.
Funeral Procession: When part of the funeral procession, this act can indicate the end of a relationship between bees and a beekeeper, especially if the deceased was the royal beekeeper.
Quaker Tradition: The Quaker community was particularly known for their diligent observance of this ritual, rooted in their attentive stewardship of nature.
The belief that failing to communicate such pivotal events could lead to the bees' unhappiness or misfortune underscores the symbiotic relationship fostered over centuries.
Folklore, Literature, and the Arts
The tradition of telling the bees has permeated various aspects of culture, from poems that celebrate their significance to their presence in literature and other media forms.
The Theme in Poetry
John Greenleaf Whittier's poem Telling the Bees is a quintessential example that illustrates the practice within poetry. Published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1858, Whittier's work is poignant, depicting the scene of a young boy who discovers his lover has died, framed by the act of informing the bees of her passing. The poem goes on to describe the bees' dreary singing and their covered hives in a "scarlet cloth," symbolizing their entry into a state of mourning.
Similarly, Eugene Field also referenced this tradition in literature, conveying the intimacy of human and bee connection.
The Bees in Books and Media
In book form, Samuel Adams Drake's "The Honey-Makers," introduces readers to the folklore of beekeeping, using a narrative style that offers a detailed account of the tradition and its various practices across cultures.
Czech author Božena Němcová also included the ritual in her narrative, recognizing it within her acclaimed book "Babička" ("The Grandmother"), suggesting a universal recognition of bees' importance throughout folklore across different national literatures.
Charles Fitzgerald Gambier Jenyns explored similar concepts in his storytelling, though his works are less mentioned in the context of the bee-familiarizing ritual but may still contribute to the understanding of bees in human society.
The Bees and Life Events
In the beekeeping world, certain rituals bridge the gap between human life events and the colonies they keep. Telling the bees, a practice steeped in history, acknowledges the bees' place in a beekeeper's family and the necessity of including them in significant familial occurrences.
Marriages and Weddings
Beekeepers traditionally introduce their hives to the merriment of a wedding celebration by informing the bees about the union. The ritual could involve placing a piece of wedding cake or decorations near the beehive. This act is believed to maintain harmony within the hive and to share the joy of the day.
Event: Weddings
Ritual Action: Share wedding cake or decorations with the hive.
Intended Outcome: To promote harmony and joy in the hive.
Births and Deaths
Key milestones such as births and deaths are vital to convey to the bees. A birth in the family often prompts beekeepers to introduce the newborn to the hive, ensuring the bees recognize the new member of the family.
In the case of a death in the family, particularly that of the beekeeper, the tradition of telling the bees is upheld. This could involve draping the beehive in black and speaking directly to the bees to inform them of their keeper’s passing.
Event: Births
Ritual Action: Introduce the newborn to the hive.
Intended Outcome: The bees acknowledge and accept the new family member.
Event: Deaths
Ritual Action: Drape the hive in black; verbally inform the bees of the death.
Intended Outcome: The bees are allowed to mourn, preventing them from leaving the hive or dying.
Impact on Beekeeping Practices
In beekeeping, the ritual of "telling the bees" holds cultural significance and affects various aspects of apiary management. This cherished tradition exerts a subtle impact on both the beekeepers' practices and the overall health of the honeybee colonies.
Communication with Honeybees Beekeepers who practice "telling the bees" often form a strong bond with their hives, believing that sharing important life events with the bees fosters a deep connection and promotes harmony within the apiary. This connection may influence how beekeepers attend to their hives, potentially leading to more attentive care.
Informed Honeybees: The belief that bees must be told of significant occurrences such as marriages or deaths dates back to ancient times. Although not scientifically substantiated, it underscores the beekeepers' recognition of the bees as part of their extended family.
Queen Bee and Hive Dynamics Reflecting on historical events, the death of important figures like Queen Elizabeth was once an occasion warranting the ritual. The anthropomorphic act of informing the queen bee of such deaths reinforces the idea of a parallel hierarchy inside the beehive structure.
Beehive Maintenance: The attention to the dialogue between beekeepers and their bees might contribute to timely beehive inspections and the maintenance of a healthy hive environment.
Economic and Productivity Concerns The ritual embodies more than just folklore; it encapsulates the beekeeper's concern for maintaining a thriving bee population, which directly affects honey production and crop pollination.
Honey Production and Sales: Beekeepers invested in the well-being of their bees may see this reflected in honey yields. The belief is that, when neglected or not properly informed, bees might produce less honey, negatively impacting sales.
Health of the Colony: The psychological component of "telling the bees" may ensure that beekeepers are less likely to overlook signs of distress in the colony, theoretically preventing reduced honey production and loss of crops due to inadequate pollination.
Reflections on the Relationship to Nature
The ritual of "Telling the Bees" represents a profound respect humans have long shown towards nature. It highlights a unique journey that both honeybees and humans must go through—life's cyclical nature with its inherent returns and, inevitably, its penalties. Honey and beeswax stand not just as commercial products but as symbols of this relationship, their value extending beyond mere commodities.
Honeybees play an integral role in ecosystems, acting as pollinators for a wide array of plants. The interdependence between bees and these plants fuels the larger cycle of life, demonstrating the deep connection humans must maintain with the natural world. The tradition underscores the belief that bees are not isolated creatures but participants in human life and death.
Tammy Horn, in her work, emphasized how the honey bee shaped a nation. She illustrated the agricultural reliance on these insects, detailing beekeeping as more than a profession—it is a caretaker role. Keeping bee populations healthy reflects humanity's stewardship of the earth.
Here, beekeeping is not simply a matter of honey extraction but a form of kinship with nature. By maintaining small colonies and frequent swarming—traits observed in wild bees—beekeepers can mirror nature's resilience, as smaller colonies are less susceptible to pathogens.
In the face of environmental challenges, the tradition of "Telling the Bees" is a reminder of the respect and humility humans must observe in their interaction with nature. It encapsulates a heritage of practices that foster a harmonious coexistence and an acknowledgment of life's delicate balance.
