The implications of Saint Lalibela, Honey, and the Bee and Tree Project.
Lalibela is known for its famous rock-hewn churches, attracting tourists from around the world. This makes people around Lalibela restricted to tourism-related business for survival, leading to concerns about overreliance on tourism and the need for diversification of the local economy. The local economy was impacted, and tourism was down during a period of conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Lalibela is known for honey production. The story is linked with St. Lalibela back to 12th century. His mother gave him the name “Lalibela” because a swarm of bees surrounded him at birth, which she interpreted as a sign of his future rule over Ethiopia. The name “Lalibela“ means “the bees recognize his sovereignty“ (that’s a lot to fit in one word!). Lalibela’s honey production has the potential to provide a sustainable source of income for the community, offering an alternative to tourism. This historical connection to bees and honey could be leveraged to promote local economic development and cultural heritage preservation.
Having considered this potential, PBF has initiated the Bee and Tree Project, which aims to promote sustainable agriculture and conservation efforts in the region, highlighting the importance of environmental protection alongside economic development.
Currently honey production is started by the name of “Lalibela Honey” brand. By empowering local beekeepers, the production, packaging, and marketing of honey have been started. The brand will honor our tradition and showcase the unique flavors of the region, further solidifying Lalibela’s reputation as a hub for sustainable agriculture and cultural preservation. Through this project, we hope to not only boost the local economy but also preserve the rich heritage and natural resources of the area for future generations.
The business has now given four unemployed young people jobs, and local beekeepers have had no trouble selling their produce. Our products like honey, honey Wine, Honey Berths are highly preferred by the people around Ethiopia.
Furthermore, we are hoping to expand the production and processing on a big scale and to have a demonstration, training and marketing center for local beekeepers. This also motivates the community to increase honey production and establish honey tourism.
Here is the website for the honey company:
https://lalibelahoney.com/
Getachew Sale