Mariashoni honey and fruits that sweeten walk by visitors

For a long time, Mariashoni, which falls within the eastern hills of the Mau Forest Complex - East Africa’s largest water tower - has been associated with deforestation and degradation.

This area has an estimated population of 1,700 adult members of the Ogiek people.

A walk through Mariashoni is quite refreshing.

Hoisted some 50 metres above the visitors walking through the forest, are numerous log beehives with their colonies of bees.

It is the honey that this area and the Ogiek are famous for.

The hives are placed on particular trees: the traditional species.

In fact, they are the endangered species, having been extensively lost during the 1990 to 2001 period known for the massive degradation of the Mau Forest Complex.

At least, 107,000 hectares were degraded.

The Yemdit, Tongotwet and Kureyet — where the bees draw their nectar — represents the conservative traditions of the Ogieks.

The residents protect these trees like precious jewels because they support their livelihood.

Though the productivity of the log beehives is low compared to the previous years, the little they harvest is highly valued. They use it both as food and medicine.

A REFRESHING PLACE

The native trees from which the bees collect nectar also serve as herbs.

Mariashoni is also a garden of wild fruits the Ogieks survived on until the early 1990s when the ecosystem’s biodiversity began changing due to the destruction by human activity.

Within the forest lies an evergreen empty space described as the trees’ ‘breathing spot’.

“There is no tree that can grow on this breathing space,” says Mr Joseph Barngetuny, an elder of the Ogiek.

“It is a place to relax and meditate without any disturbance,” he adds.

From this spot, the soothing sound of the waters of River Mara, which had previously dried up but has since been rejuvenated, reaches one’s ears.