The Golden Prize: the Bond between the Greater Honeyguide and Human

Description

The greater honeyguide is a small bird related to woodpeckers that is native to ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa. To various African indigenous peoples such as the Maasai, Hadza, and Yao tribes, the honeyguide has evolved to become a friend and ally.

This is because members of these tribes for generations have established a bond with local honeyguides that is built on a mutually beneficial relationship. When members of a tribe have an intention to find wild honey for food, they venture out and make specific vocalizations to attract the attention of honeyguides.

The honeyguides have learned to identify these vocalizations with these people, and begins making specific vocalizations in return. They then fly from tree to tree to lead these people to a bees nest, where the people use smoke to sedate the bees and then begin the process of harvesting honey.

The honeyguides benefit from this relationship because the tribal members always leave behind some honeycomb and bee larva for the bird to feast on, which is why the birds continue to follow through with their part in the relationship by guiding them.

There is even superstitions within various tribes that if they forget to leave behind something for the birds to eat, then the birds will lead them to a lion’s den next time! This goes to show how much these people respect the honeyguides and rely on them for a food source.

While humans have established many mutual relationships with domesticated animals, this is a rare example of a mutually beneficial relationship with wild animals.

What We Can Learn

This relationship teaches us that as humans we are capable of interacting with wildlife in a respectful and harmonious way. There is nothing that we cannot achieve if we atune ourselves to nature and rely on wildlife to assist us in better navigating the ecosystems in which we live in.

We can even apply this relationship to other aspects of our society. From a perspective of higher consciousness, lending one’s natural talents and characteristics to benefit another is an expression of Love.

By preserving and honoring indigenous wisdom, culture, and sovereignty, we are opening ourselves up to an avenue of infinite possibilities in regards to living harmoniously with our planet. Indigenous peoples such as these tribes in Africa have lived in perpetual balance with nature for thousands of years, and learning from them and their connection to the land will greatly benefit us all.