Uki wa Makonge (Akamba Sisal Honey). The sisal plant (Agave sisalana), locally known as makonge, is the source of this honey, which is why the Akamba people refer to it as uki wa makonge. The honey produced by bees from the nectar of sisal flowers is thicker than honey made from other plants, with a distinct sour flavor and a color ranging from cream to orange.
The hives are positioned close to sisal plantations or the plant itself; however, since the sisal plant only has one stem and the blooms are kept on top, they cannot be hung on it. Men had affixed the log hives to trees or poles. Two men collect the honey: a young man goes with an elderly guy so that the knowledge of honey harvesting can be passed down from generation to generation.
Though it changes depending on when flowers bloom, it is done twice a year, in June and December. Since bees are less busy in the evening, it is customary to harvest honey in the evening after they have been smoked to make them submissive. After manually extracting the honey, a thin piece of linen is used to sift it. Propolis is mostly utilized for its medical qualities, to aid in digestion and create cosmetic items, while the wax is used to produce candles and ointments.
In certain cultures, honey is given as a dowry. In the Akamba culture, it is customary for a groom to present a bucket of honey to the bride’s family as a token of gratitude. This tradition suggests that the bridegroom’s love is as sweet as honey. In addition, the honey was used to make kimee, a traditional beverage that was given as a gift to elders in gratitude for approving the bridegroom’s marriage. Additionally, it was used medicinally on open wounds.
Christian missionaries found it improper that the wedding price was paid with honey and that beer was made from honey. Many Kenyans who converted to Christianity and abandoned the beekeeping practice share this viewpoint. “Yesu emuyo kwi uki wa nzuki,” which translates to “Christ is sweeter than honey,” is a proverb among the Akamba people that was used to persuade them to become Christians.
Due to the declining number of beekeepers and the fact that uki wa nzuki is only produced in close proximity to one sisal plantation in Makueni County, it is in danger of going extinct.
