PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Indigenous and non-indigenous people in subtropical and temperate areas of Bhutan share an intricate relationship with stingless bees for diverse purposes including ethno-medicinal uses. Stingless bees hold significant importance in the realms of social, economic, cultural, and spiritual aspects. Bhutan\'s cultural traditions demonstrate a strong bond with the environment, exemplified by the regular use of honey from stingless bees for remedies such as treating the common cold, cough, and sore throat.
METHODS: Ethnographic research was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless in Bhutan. We deployed semi-structured interviews with stingless beekeepers and honey collectors including traditional healers who perform religious rituals for curing and preventing physical and mental illness.
RESULTS: We documented 22 different uses of stingless bee honey in food, medicine, veterinary medicine, crafts, beliefs, and religious purposes. The relative cultural importance (RCI) of stingless bees among Bhutan\'s ethnic communities was assessed through our calculations. It was determined that these bees hold notably greater significance for the Lhotshampa communities compared to other ethnic groups in Bhutan. This finding demonstrates the dependence of Hindu ethnic communities on natural resources in their everyday life. All participant communities largely exploit these bees through destructive extraction practices. They often find the natural nests in nearby forests, transfer them as a log hive to their backyards, and practice traditional meliponiculture.
CONCLUSIONS: The ethnic communities of Bhutan use stingless bees for various purposes and the local knowledge are persistent. However, significant efforts should be made to address the ethno-medicinal, ecological, biological, and commercial perspectives of meliponiculture in Bhutan.
METHODS: Ethnographic research was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless in Bhutan. We deployed semi-structured interviews with stingless beekeepers and honey collectors including traditional healers who perform religious rituals for curing and preventing physical and mental illness.
RESULTS: We documented 22 different uses of stingless bee honey in food, medicine, veterinary medicine, crafts, beliefs, and religious purposes. The relative cultural importance (RCI) of stingless bees among Bhutan\'s ethnic communities was assessed through our calculations. It was determined that these bees hold notably greater significance for the Lhotshampa communities compared to other ethnic groups in Bhutan. This finding demonstrates the dependence of Hindu ethnic communities on natural resources in their everyday life. All participant communities largely exploit these bees through destructive extraction practices. They often find the natural nests in nearby forests, transfer them as a log hive to their backyards, and practice traditional meliponiculture.
CONCLUSIONS: The ethnic communities of Bhutan use stingless bees for various purposes and the local knowledge are persistent. However, significant efforts should be made to address the ethno-medicinal, ecological, biological, and commercial perspectives of meliponiculture in Bhutan.
摘要：
背景：不丹亚热带和温带地区的土著和非土著人民与无刺蜜蜂有着复杂的关系，用于各种目的，包括民族医疗用途。无刺蜜蜂在社会领域具有重要意义，经济,文化,和精神方面。不丹的文化传统与环境有着很强的联系，例如，经常使用无刺蜜蜂的蜂蜜进行治疗，例如治疗普通感冒，咳嗽,喉咙痛.
方法：进行了民族志研究，以记录不丹无刺的民族医学用途和文化重要性。我们与无刺的养蜂人和蜂蜜收藏家进行了半结构化访谈，其中包括传统的治疗师，他们执行宗教仪式以治疗和预防身心疾病。
结果：我们记录了无刺蜜蜂蜂蜜在食物中的22种不同用途，医学,兽医学,工艺品,信仰,和宗教目的。通过我们的计算，评估了无刺蜜蜂在不丹种族社区中的相对文化重要性（RCI）。已确定，与不丹的其他种族相比，这些蜜蜂对Lhotshampa社区具有更大的意义。这一发现表明了印度教种族社区在日常生活中对自然资源的依赖。所有参与社区都通过破坏性的提取方法来利用这些蜜蜂。他们经常在附近的森林中发现自然巢，把它们作为一个原木蜂巢转移到他们的后院，并实行传统的人工栽培。
结论：不丹的种族社区出于各种目的使用无刺蜜蜂，并且当地知识持续存在。然而,要大力解决民族医药问题，生态,生物，以及不丹的工商业前景。
方法：进行了民族志研究，以记录不丹无刺的民族医学用途和文化重要性。我们与无刺的养蜂人和蜂蜜收藏家进行了半结构化访谈，其中包括传统的治疗师，他们执行宗教仪式以治疗和预防身心疾病。
结果：我们记录了无刺蜜蜂蜂蜜在食物中的22种不同用途，医学,兽医学,工艺品,信仰,和宗教目的。通过我们的计算，评估了无刺蜜蜂在不丹种族社区中的相对文化重要性（RCI）。已确定，与不丹的其他种族相比，这些蜜蜂对Lhotshampa社区具有更大的意义。这一发现表明了印度教种族社区在日常生活中对自然资源的依赖。所有参与社区都通过破坏性的提取方法来利用这些蜜蜂。他们经常在附近的森林中发现自然巢，把它们作为一个原木蜂巢转移到他们的后院，并实行传统的人工栽培。
结论：不丹的种族社区出于各种目的使用无刺蜜蜂，并且当地知识持续存在。然而,要大力解决民族医药问题，生态,生物，以及不丹的工商业前景。
