In Nepal, an isolated tribe called the Gurung set out to find a special honey that inhabited a series of cliffs. Known for its hallucinogenic powers, the honey is often used by villagers for recreational or medicinal purposes. Hallucinogenic Honey Hunters takes viewers on a rare tour of the region and observes the culture surrounding this mysterious honey.
Dubbed “crazy honey”, the hallucinogenic substance is produced by the world’s largest wild bees, which can reach a length of three centimeters. In order to obtain honey, villagers must brave the steep cliffs and rampages of bee swarms. Your hunt begins at dawn. A small group of male villagers packed their backpacks with essentials and hiked to the base of the nearest cliff. They made a makeshift ladder out of bamboo and started climbing. The process was carried out with great care and respect, and served as a well-crafted and creative preface to a potentially dangerous encounter with thousands of disaffected bees.
Hallucinogenic Honey Hunters takes viewers step-by-step through the process, leaving us in awe of each hunter’s fearless dedication. By participating in this annual ceremony, they are following in the footsteps of previous generations.
What is honey that is so important to the Gurung way of life and identity? In minimal doses, honey can provide a calming euphoria similar to that of substances such as absinthe. Some villagers take a teaspoon of honey every morning, believing it can boost the immune system and lead to a longer, more fulfilling life. Heavy use can cause cardiac arrest, generalized hallucinations, or periods where the body appears to be undergoing cleansing and regeneration.
With the hallucinogenic honey hunter, prolific documentary filmmaker and world traveler Raphael Treza once again takes us into a fascinating culture that has largely gone unobserved, and his unwavering camera invites us to share our fears and fascinations watch.
Directed by: Raphael Treza
