(Continuing from the previous blog) I’d like to touch a bit more on the beekeeping practices here. Personally, I strongly agree with the indigenous  Maori perspective. As humans, we are part of the Earth’s makeup, one among many living creatures, and should coexist with nature; actions  that contradict this coexistence are, in my view, ultimately misguided. The belief that “There are various gods in the natural world, watching  over us” reflects an ancient wisdom and respect for nature. Straying from or ignoring these principles is unwise, as humans may not be as capable as we think. As I mentioned in a previous blog (August 30, 2017), if bees here are infected with American foulbrood, the law mandates burning them  along with their hive as a preventative measure.

It’s painful to have to kill a colony of bees that one has raised with such care, and I work hard to prevent this outcome. This kind of  difficult reality isn’t unique to beekeeping; occasionally, similar harsh practices exsist elsewhere. Around 20 years ago, reports emerged  from the South Island about sheep farmers throwing sheep off cliffs into the sea when meat prices dropped or  the wool market collapsed, or when sheep fell ill. Sharks along the coast developed a taste for these sheep, which eventually led to attacks on humans. Such practices are often seen among British descent. I understand the tough circumstances of sheep farming, but in Maori culture, such actions would be unthinkable.  The Maori hold a deep respect for the natural gods, fearing that such actions would offend them. Tossing sheep off cliffs into  the sea, with the harm ultimately rebounding on humans, is really just two sides of the same coin.

Disposable beekeeping is no different. Abandoned hives inevitably become breeding grounds for disease, which eventually spreads to  infect one’s own healthy colonies. The Maori deeply understand that actions that go against the will of nature’s gods will ultimately come back to  affect us. In contrast, many Westerners may reflect a superficial devotion to monotheism. This concept reminds me, perhaps not coincidentally,  of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And it’s worth noting, Nagasaki was a city with a significant Christian population… Tonight, I ended up staying up late replying to inquiries from my customers. Now, I’ll brush my teeth and rub Manuka honey onto my gums,  as I’ve done daily for over 20 years. Thanks to this routine, I have zero cavities, healthy and firm pinkish-white gums, and gleaming teeth— a habit that has contributed greatly to my overall vitality.