In Brazil, Indigenous Experts Care for Native, Stingless Bees

Marcio Karai, a member of Brazil’s Guarani community, tends to native Mirim stingless bees near his home on Sao Paulo’s outskirts. He explains that their elders are worried about the declining numbers of these native species, which are becoming scarce due to changing ecosystems. While not classified as endangered, the Mirim bees and other species Karai cares for face threats from climate change, deforestation, and pesticides.

These pollinators are crucial for the reproduction of 90% of wild flowering plants and 75% of human food crops. In contrast to beekeeping in Europe and North America, meliponiculture, the care of stingless bees, yields smaller, more prized quantities of honey. Osmar Malaspina, a researcher on bee conservation at the Universidade Estadual Paulista, notes that Brazil is home to 300 stingless bee species, though some may have already vanished due to agricultural expansion.

At the Jaragua Indigenous Territory, Karai transfers members of an existing bee colony to a new hive, a daily task involving 13 varieties of native bees. The bees swarm out in a silent display, and Karai carefully selects materials from the original hive to ensure the transplanted bees' survival. The honey and wax produced by these bees are integral to the community's religious ceremonies, with Guarani women making bee wax candles that symbolize each person.

Karai, who learned the art of caring for stingless bees from his ancestors, hopes his son will continue the tradition but fears future generations may prioritize higher-paying jobs. Despite threats from non-Indigenous people, the Jatai species, with which Karai particularly identifies, shows resilience due to strong spiritual protection by the Guarani community.