Telling the bees

What it is

Telling the bees is a Western European ritual in which beekeepers communicate important household updates to their colonies. The practice covers major transitions such as births, marriages, departures, returns, and deaths. It is found across England, Ireland, Wales, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and parts of the United States. The custom rests on the belief that bees are sensitive family members who must be included in domestic news. If they are excluded, they may become distressed, stop producing honey, or leave the hive entirely.

Where it comes from

The exact origins of this practice remain unclear. Some speculate it stems from ancient Aegean ideas about bees bridging the natural world and the afterlife, though this lacks solid evidence. Historical records show the custom was well-established by the mid-19th century. For instance, a Lincolnshire report from that era details how bees were given wedding cake or funeral biscuits during these events. The practice also appears in literature, such as Božena Němcová’s 1855 novel Babička, which reflects ethnographic research from Bohemia and Slovakia.

How it is done

To inform bees of a death, the keeper might hang black cloth on the hive while humming a mournful tune. They would knock gently on the hive, sometimes using a house key, and speak in a low voice to announce the passing. In some regions, an old garment of the deceased was buried near the hives. For weddings, hives were decorated with scarlet cloth, and slices of wedding cake were left nearby. Bees were sometimes invited to attend the ceremony itself. If the beekeeper died, food from the funeral was placed at the hive, and the hive might be rotated to face the procession.

Tools and materials

The ritual relies on simple household items and symbolic materials. Black cloth serves as the standard symbol of mourning, draped over the hives. Scarlet cloth is used for weddings to signify joy. Food items like wedding cake and funeral biscuits are offered to the bees as part of the communication. A house key is occasionally used as a knocker to secure the bees' attention before speaking to them.

What it is for

The primary intent is to protect the health and stability of the bee colony. Practitioners hold that bees must know about family changes to avoid calamity. Failure to tell them of a death could result in the bees becoming sickly, dying, or abandoning the hive. Similarly, omitting wedding news might lead to an unfortunate married life. The ritual ensures the bees remain loyal and productive members of the household ecosystem.

Who does it

The practice is typically performed by the household head or the primary caretaker of the bees. In many accounts, the woman of the house, or 'goodwife,' leads the mourning rituals. However, male heads of households are also recorded knocking on hives to deliver news. The role requires intimate knowledge of the colony and its location, often involving direct physical interaction with the hive structure.

Peoples and places

The custom spans several Western European nations. In England, Ireland, and Wales, it was common to inform bees of domestic shifts. German traditions in Westphalia and Bohemia emphasized introducing couples to the bees before moving in together. French practices in Brittany involved decorating hives with red cloth for weddings. Swiss and Dutch regions also maintained these rites. In the United States, particularly New England and the Carolina Mountains, the custom persisted with local variations, such as specific knocks and phrases used to notify the insects.

What people believe

The worldview behind telling the bees views insects as sentient beings capable of understanding human emotion and social structures. Bees are seen as integral family members who react to grief and joy. Their behavior is interpreted as a direct response to whether they have been properly informed. This belief system assigns moral weight to the act of communication; neglecting the bees is considered a breach of duty that invites supernatural or natural retribution.

When it is done

The ritual is triggered by specific life events rather than fixed calendar dates. It occurs at funerals, when a death is announced, and at weddings, when a marriage takes place. It may also happen during births, departures, or returns. The timing is immediate, requiring the keeper to approach the hive as soon as the event occurs to ensure the bees are updated before any negative consequences arise.

Questions people ask about Telling the bees

Good reading and sources

• Telling the bees on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data