By Obiabin Onukwugha
With over 20,000 known species of bees in seven recognized biological families including honey bees, bumblebees, and stingless bees, Añu, as Igbos call it, live socially in colonies while most species, including mason bees, carpenter bees, leafcutter bees, and sweat bees are solitary.
Bees are found on every continent except Antarctica and beekeeping is called apiculture.
The Bee is said to play some role in the environment that benefit mankind including pollination and biodiversity.
As pollinators, bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem. They support the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants, which serve as food and shelter for creatures large and small.
Bees contribute to complex, interconnected ecosystems that allow a diverse number of different species to co-exist.
Out of Añu, comes honey, a medicinal juice with high nutritional value
Honey contains mostly sugar, as well as a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants.
Some uses of Honey also include treatment of cough, burns, wound healing.
It also reduces risks associated with heart disease, Gastrointestinal disease and Neurological disease.
Añu, the Honey bee is a source of income to those who hunt/harvest them.
A young man from Okolomade community in Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State, Elijah Egwu, who hunts honey for living says he makes between thirty-five thousand naira to fifty thousand naira per twenty five litres.
He said demand is high as he gets bookings ahead from customers. But added that there are risks such as stings attached to the business.
But do not take the Añu for granted. In Africa and especially in Nigeria, Añu can be a messenger of death and life.
In 1911, there lived a King in Nigeria named King Attah Ameh Oboni in Igala Land, Kogi State of Nigeria.
Apart from being an African traditional ruler, Attah was quite powerful and was reported to possess magical powers.
As a king, he was not allowed to see dead bodies, he could not remove his cap in the presence of people and he could not shake hands with women.
But these rules were once put to test and Añu was there to settle the matter.
Reports have it that during the colonial era in Nigeria, there was a meeting in Kaduna and many traditional rulers were in attendance. The Queen was also present. While the other kings removed their caps as they greeted the Queen, Attah was reluctant to do so because of his tradition.
After much persistence and threat to send him out and dethrone him if he refused to remove his cap, Attah yielded to the demand and as soon as he removed his cap, a lot of bees came out of it. What happened to the meeting? Your guess is as good as mine.
In the Niger Delta and some other cultures in Nigeria, seeing Añu around your compound is an omen that requires urgent spiritual enquiry.
In Idema community, Bayelsa State, Añu represents the messenger of a deity. You dare not falsely accuse someone to the extent that makes him/her summon you before the deity because Añu will visit you in drones.