Description

In Wolisso, 120 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level, honey was traditionally only used as an ingredient in a typical fermented drink called tej, or as a medicine. The beekeepers used only traditional techniques and hives formed of cylinders woven from bamboo and covered in leaves. The hive was cleared of bees using a large amount of smoke, often to the detriment of the honey’s quality. To improve the purity of the honey and diversify production (making not just tej, but also honey, propolis and beeswax), an association of 17 beekeepers has gradually introduced modern apicultural methods and tools alongside their traditional techniques. Between June and November, the Wolisso community collects honey made from eucalyptus and other local species like wanza (Cordia africana). Production area: Wolisso, southeastern Oromia region