The Tradition of Beekeeping in Oman
Long before honey filled shelves in shops, Omanis tended to bees using practices handed down through generations. Two native species — the small but hardy Apis florea, known locally as Abu Tuwaiq (Father of the Little Collar), and the larger Apis mellifera jemenitica — have been part of Oman's ecosystem and livelihoods for centuries.
While the Little Bee is known for foraging in high temperatures and building its single wax comb in trees — and absconding when disturbed — the Big Bee prefers the security of a hive and forages for nectar and pollen in the cooler early mornings and late afternoons. The Big Bee is naturally found in Dhofar and, since the 1600s, has been kept in log hives within the shelter of deep wadis (Sahtan; Bani 'Awf; Bani Kharus) that drain the northern mountains near Rustaq. They were probably introduced, from Yemen, by Imam Saif bin Sultan.
Behind these bees are the people who have quietly nurtured them — Omani beekeepers whose skills have produced not only honey but also preserved a profound relationship between land and life.
One of the earliest foreign researchers to recognise this was Robert Whitcombe, a young British ecologist who arrived in Oman in 1977. Initially part of a rural development project involving Durham University in the UK, Petroleum Development Oman, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Robert became captivated by the bees — and the people who kept them.
C:fakepathIMG_4018
'Oman was little-known back then,' he recalls, 'but I was made welcome and worked closely with farmers. They shared their intimate knowledge of bees and the Omani flora — the source of several delicious honeys despite a harsh climate.'
Robert and his colleagues introduced modern hives in the 1970s and 80s, but while his connection to Omani beekeeping persisted, his ecological research expanded into environmental and national planning roles.
'Omani beekeepers are guardians of nature,' he states. 'I've witnessed the close relationship between people and the landscape that sustains them. While Oman has made enormous strides in urban development, the importance of planning that cherishes rural areas should not be overlooked. These areas conserve vital elements of Oman's cultural and natural heritage and offer opportunities for sustainable livelihoods linked to tourism.'
One such guardian was the late Nasr Ahmed Al Ghaythi, a dedicated beekeeper from Zahib near Al Mudhaybi, who managed over 30 colonies of Little Bees — probably more than anyone else in the world.
His eldest son, Ahmad, reflects: 'My father didn't just keep bees. He trekked into the mountains to find wild colonies, carefully relocated them to our farm, and nurtured them like children. Beekeeping wasn't just a craft for him; honey was not merely food but how he supported our family.'
Today, tradition and innovation live on in Misfat Al Abriyeen, where beekeeper Ahmed Mohammed Saif Al Abri has turned a hobby into a thriving business. Starting with just four hives in 1997, Ahmed now tends over 200, exports honey, and offers guided tours.
'We explain our methods to visitors and let them taste Sidr and Samr honey. It's become a way to support the village and share our culture,' he says.
These efforts are part of a broader movement to promote eco-tourism and rural livelihoods, supported by local community figures like Abdulrahman Al Abri, founder of Canyon Adventures and Tours. His work connects communities to responsible mountain tourism and environmental education in Al Hamra, Misfah, and further afield in Wukan and Suwgrah.
In May, the British Omani Society celebrated the publication of Honeybees in Oman, a book that tells the story of the Little and Big Bees and their guardians. Through a charitable initiative, the Society showcased illustrations by artist Jenny Ryrie. Proceeds from the sale of the original artwork will support conservation efforts led by the Environmental Society of Oman (ESO). Paintings are still available for those wishing to support this cause.
As Oman modernises, conservationists emphasise that rural heritage must not be left behind. 'Honeybees are a barometer of environmental health,' says Robert. 'When we protect them, we protect much more — landscape, biodiversity, cultural identity, and sustainable livelihoods.'
In a world under increasing environmental pressure, Oman's bees — and their quiet guardians — offer more than just honey. They remind us that some of the most vital treasures are also the smallest, humming softly amidst wildflowers and palms.
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