Nepali honey hunters

[stephensee]

Bigger pics : http://membres.lycos.fr/stephensee/honey-hunters.htm

 

[stephensee]

They're Gurung Men (center of Nepal).

Author : Eric Valli.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

Looks like honey hunting is serious business in Nepal. Look at those timeworn faces!

Keith

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

I'm looking at that big old caplock and thinking the bees must be pretty fierce too!

Greg

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

And maybe it is for scaring bears away, if it feels it has first rights to the hive..

Keith

 

[Outdoors]

What's the timeframe of that pic? I'm interested because I've also seen cartridge blackpowder rifles from Nepal (Martinis) so I wondered how common caplocks/flintlocks are now.

Pat

 

[Sylvrfalcn]

Pat,

I saw a lot of old two band and three band Enfield muskets being carried over in Afghanistan, mostly by Bedouins who couldn't afford an AK. One fellow even touched off a round from one on some of our sentries guarding an ammo holding area. Needless to say he was brought up to date with the 21st century within a few muzzle flashes.

Greg

 

[Bill Martino]

They are Gurung alright. The guy squatting is named Mani Lal. The honey hunters have to pay a honey tax because the king owns the bees and just in case you dig up any gold he owns that, too. See why the Maoists have fuel?

 

[Rod Allen]

Another terrific Image. Thanks. Rod

 

[stephensee]

http://membres.lycos.fr/stephensee/honey02.htm

 

[Bill Martino]

I always wondered if the honey was worth the effort -- lot of dangerous work.

 

[stephensee]

Yes, big risk and no security... These men are really courageous. Their families must be very proud of them.

 

[Bill Martino]

As you might imagaine, Gurungs make pretty decent Gorkhas.

 

[stephensee]

Yes... all their hard life must be a constant trainning since they are little children.