Reconsidering contemporary knowledge. An analysis of the current outlook of meliponiculture in Tabasco

Abstract

Meliponiculture, practiced by different cultures, is composed of diverse se contemporary knowledges (knowledge, practices and beliefs that are constantly produced and reproduced). This research investigates the current state of meliponiculture in Tabasco, considering it as a biocultural heritage. Semi-structured interviews were used to know the relationship that people have with the bees that they cultivate and the contemporary knowledge they possess. We registered 101 stingless beekeepers in 15 of the 17 municipalities, of these 24% belongs to an indigenous group. 81 stingless beekeepers were interviewed and classified in three types according to their objective: traditional (52%), resignified (42%) and conservationists (6%). The community with the highest number of stingless beekeepers is Tenosique (37), followed by Tacotalpa (14) and Balancán (11). They cultivate 11 species of stingless bees. The most commom type of beehive is in log hive (52%), 32% have them in boxes of wood and 16% in logs, modified logs and boxes. The 11% of beekeepers know how to divide their beehives. Honey, wax and hive have different uses: food, medicinal, magical-religious and ritual. The relationship between stingless beekeepers with bees is complex and goes beyond the utilitarian realm; this practice includes contemporary knowledges about the ethology, ecology and morphology of the different species of meliponines. There is a decline of meliponiculture in Tabasco so it is urgent to have a greater knowledge of it and to promote it among the new generations through a dialogue of knowledges.