Venture deep into the Sundarbans with the ‘mouleys,’ the traditional honey hunters who risk their lives facing Royal Bengal Tigers to harvest wild honey. Discover their rituals, legends, and the perilous dance with death for liquid gold.
The Perilous Hunt for Sundarbans Honey
Every year, as spring arrives in Bengal, a unique and perilous season begins in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. This is the honey season. As the flowers of the jungle bloom, giant rock bees (Apis dorsata) build massive honeycombs, and a special group of men, the mouleys (honey hunters), venture into the forest to harvest this liquid gold.
This short, intense period provides a livelihood for many who spend the rest of the year fishing. This entire operation is a dance with danger, performed under the watchful eye of the West Bengal Forest Department, who protect the mouleys from both pirates and the forest’s most formidable predator: the Royal Bengal Tiger.
A World of Ritual and Risk: The Mouley’s Life
The profession is so dangerous that it has given rise to a local proverb: “To find honey is to find the tiger.” This is no exaggeration. The mouleys must travel deep into the dense, muddy forest on foot, where visibility is low.
The link between honey and tigers is primal. The Sundarbans tigers are known to eat honey themselves, and signs of them breaking open low-hanging combs are a common sight. The mouleys know that where the bees are active, tigers are likely nearby.
- Team Tradition: Teams of mouleys are always formed with an odd number of members—five, seven, or nine. One person always stays behind on the boat.
- Rituals of Protection: Life for a moule is governed by strict rules. Before departing, they perform pujas and live an ascetic life. At home, their families observe their own set of taboos, such as not combing their hair, in the belief that it keeps the men safe.
The Art of the Hunt: Chakh Kata
Before the journey, the boats are “decorated” to seek blessings for a safe return. They pray to forest deities like Mother Banbibi, Gajī Sāhib, and Shāh Jānglī.
Once in the forest, the hunt, known as ‘chakh kata’, begins. The experienced mouleys scan the treetops for the giant combs.
- Spotting the Hive: When a honeycomb is spotted, a scout signals the others with a coded call, like ‘Allah!’ or ‘Haribol!’
- Pacifying the Bees: The team lights a torch made of leaves, called a ‘kura’, to create smoke that pacifies and drives away the bees.
- The Harvest: One man climbs the tree to cut the comb, while another waits below with a basket. The rest of the team stands guard, keeping a lookout for tigers.
This work is incredibly risky. Most tiger attacks occur during this vulnerable time.
The Legend of Banbibi: A Moral Compass
The spiritual life of the mouleys is deeply connected to the legend of Mother Banbibi, the guardian goddess of the Sundarbans. The story tells of two greedy brothers, Dhona and Mona, who make a pact with Dakshin Rai, the tiger demon king. In exchange for wealth, they agree to sacrifice a young boy named Dukhe. When Dakshin Rai comes to claim Dukhe, the boy prays to Banbibi, who intervenes and defeats the tiger demon.
The story serves as a powerful reminder: do not be greedy, respect the forest, and call upon the divine for protection. This faith is the bedrock of a moule’s courage.
A Sweeter Future for the Honey Hunters
Today, the tradition is evolving with the help of conservation and government initiatives.
- GI Tag: The honey, now sold under the successful “Banful” brand, has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking it as a unique product of the Sundarbans and West Bengal.
- Safety and Fair Price: Mouleys are now covered by compulsory mass insurance, and efforts are being made to ensure fair pricing.
- Sustainable Alternatives: Box beekeeping is being promoted as a safer, sustainable alternative to risking life and limb in the jungle.
As the mouleys return with their boats laden with barrels of honey, their journey remains a testament to human courage, tradition, and the profound, often dangerous, relationship between humanity and the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a “mouley”?
A: A mouley (or moule) is a traditional honey hunter from the Sundarbans region. These men venture into the dangerous mangrove forests to collect wild honey from the giant rock bee, Apis dorsata.
Q2: Is Sundarbans honey special?
A: Yes, Sundarbans honey is highly valued for its unique flavor and medicinal properties, derived from the nectar of mangrove flowers like Hental, Goran, and Keora. It has a distinctive dark color and a slightly tangy taste. It has also been awarded a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for its unique origin.
Q3: Why is honey hunting in the Sundarbans so dangerous?
A: Honey hunting in the Sundarbans is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The primary threat comes from the Royal Bengal Tiger, which shares the same habitat and is often attracted to honeycombs. Other dangers include venomous snakes, crocodiles, and the difficult, muddy terrain of the mangrove forest.
Samiran Mandal 