ABSTRACT
Traditional beekeeping in southern Africa is a good example of rural people's complex and diverse relationships with their social, economic, cultural and natural landscapes. Beekeeping is a livelihood and way of life that is intricately connected with the health of the forests that sustain and nourish the honey- and wax-producing wild bee populations. In the first part of this chapter, we explore the importance of honey-hunting and beekeeping as an ecologically sound and economically appropriate livelihood option in rural southern Africa. We argue that beekeeping is a valuable, yet overlooked, component of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in southern Africa.
