Celebrate National Bee Day with Na'atik
On August 17, Mexico celebrates National Bee Day, established in 2017 by the Mexican Senate to honor the vital role of bees in our environment, economy, and cultural heritage. In Quintana Roo’s Maya communities, the stingless melipona bee, revered as a sacred guardian of nature, holds profound significance. At Na'atik Language Institute in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, we invite you to join immersive beekeeping workshops to explore this ancient tradition and its impact on Mexico’s ecosystems and communities.
Bees are essential to Mexico’s agriculture, pollinating 84% of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and seeds critical for food security. They also support the production of approximately 60,000 tons of honey annually, positioning Mexico among the top ten global honey exporters. States like Yucatán, Campeche, and Chiapas lead in apiculture, with Quintana Roo’s Maya communities playing a vital role. The melipona bee’s honey, prized for its medicinal properties, is used in traditional Maya remedies for ailments like infections and respiratory issues, reflecting centuries-old knowledge passed down through generations.
During Na'atik’s programs, participants visit traditional hives crafted from hollow logs, engage with local beekeepers, and learn about the intricate relationship between bees and the jungle’s biodiversity. These workshops highlight how melipona bees pollinate native plants, such as the tzitzilché tree, which sustains local ecosystems and agriculture. You’ll also explore sustainability, discussing ways to protect pollinators amidst challenges like pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change, which threaten over 2,100 native bee species in Mexico.
Mexico’s apicultural economy employs over 45,000 beekeepers, generating significant income through honey exports. However, modern threats require innovative solutions. Young Maya beekeepers are blending ancestral techniques with sustainable practices, such as eco-friendly hive designs, to ensure the survival of these sacred bees. You can contribute by planting native flowers like tzitzilché, avoiding chemical pesticides, or supporting local melipona honey producers.
Join Na'atik to immerse yourself in Maya culture, learn Spanish, and celebrate the deep connection between bees and the environment. Through hands-on experiences and conversations with beekeepers, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of this living tradition and its spiritual significance in Maya cosmology, where bees are seen as allies in maintaining nature’s balance.
Manuel Vazquez local beekeeper and head of U Báalamo’b, a native bee conservation and environmental education project.
To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.