There are many tribes existing within Maasai folklore – along with the many clans and districts that make up the Maasai tribe – including one known as the Iltorobo, or bush people. An important player in the Maasai history – now mostly absorbed into the tribe – the Iltorobo are not pastoralists like the Maasai, they were hunters and gatherers. One of the main sources of food for the Iltorobo, and a main item of trade in the tales, was wild honey. Even to this day it is a sought after treat for young shepherds as they tend to the herds.
Michael and Julius – both Maasai – had been giving me lessons on the structure of the clans, districts, and sub-districts, as well as helping me with some of the details of the stories I had collected – several of which were of interactions with the Iltorobo – when Michael mentioned that he is more than capable at harvesting honey and would gladly show me if we find a hive. A few days later, he informed me that he had located one nearby, simply by watching the directions the bees would fly. I was amazed.
The process, they told me, works best when it cool out. This prevents the bees from circling back around to get you once they’re smoked out of their hive. It’s summer here and the days have been very warm – typically around 100 F – so the best time would be in the evening, just after sunset.
Michael got to work as soon as we reached the hive – located in the hollow section of a tree less than 100 yards from the camp – building the fire that he’d use to smoke out the bees. His actions were quick and methodical, which combined with the surrounding darkness made him hard to keep track of. Typically, he told me, he would use an ax or machete to expand the entrance hole to the hive; we didn’t have one though, so he’d just do his best. Once his sticks were smoldering, he gathered them together, propped himself up using nearby trees, then coaxed a heavy smoke into the hive. As the bees fled through an alternate entry, he thrust in his arm to gather a few combs of delicious honey, one for each of us. Only afterwards did he inform me that this process doesn’t completely prevent him from getting stung, it just reduces the amount. By his count he received ten, yet showed no evidence of pain. Had it not been for the stingers, still lodged in his hand, I probably wouldn’t have believed him.
February 16, 2013 at 10:34 am
You are a terrific story teller and photographer. Multi-media. 100 F – that is hot. I hope you have plenty of drinking water. I just returned to Bend for the week. Brother Ken and Wife Kathie are visiting us in Nashville- but Michael Martin Murphy is arriving in Bend to design his own guitar today. He wrote the song Wild Fire. I love you, Pops
From: Bedell Photography <comment-reply@wordpress.com> Reply-To: Bedell Photography <comment+e3v0dhig_a0fcnlu-6xbd6d@comment.wordpress.com> Date: Saturday, February 16, 2013 10:59 AM To: Tom Bedell <tombedell@twooldhippies.com> Subject: [New post] Enaisho – 2.12.2013
Berkley posted: “There are many tribes existing within Maasai folklore – along with the many clans and districts that make up the Maasai tribe – including one known as the Iltorobo, or bush people. An important player in the Maasai history – now mostly absorbed into the t”
February 17, 2013 at 3:02 am
Thanks! Sounds like you’re having fun, and are busy as usual. I’m a little behind on my posts, due to the lack of energy – I’m not getting the output I’d like from my solar kit – but am working hard to catch up. It’s pretty amazing to even have internet out here really.