Arya News - In Nepal’s remote far-western hills, honey hunters brave towering cliffs to uphold a centuries-old tradition of wild honey harvesting.
KATHMANDU – Towering at 7,031 metres, Saipal Mountain is revered not only for its pristine beauty but also for the formidable challenge it presents. No climber has yet summited its western face from the Bajhang side—a testament to its isolation and difficulty.
Yet, an equally daring feat unfolds yearly near the mountain’s steep slopes. As the Nepali month of Jestha begins, local honey hunters descend the region’s sheer cliffs to gather honey from elusive wild bees. With only a rope for support, these men suspend themselves hundreds of metres above the ground, extracting honeycombs from rock faces that seem almost impossible to reach.
The practice is more than a livelihood. It is an age-old ritual that demands strength, skill, and trust. Handmade ropes woven from bamboo and baskets crafted from local straw are essential tools passed down through generations.
Against jagged cliffs and expansive skies, men hang motionless in mid-air, locked in concentration. Their faces tell stories of strong determination and willpower. Their tools speak of history.
This honey is more than just sweetness—it is the flavour of bravery. It is tradition, coexistence with nature, and the living identity of Bajhang.
