Sur certains paradoxes de l'apiculture traditionnelle au Fouta-Djallon

To obtain honey and beeswax, the peasants of Fouta Djallon use practices that end up dispersing or even destroying bee colonies after each harvest. At the beginning of each season, beekeepers must attract new bees to their hives. Various magical-religious techniques are used to attract bees. For years, this form of beekeeping has been practised in a highly rural region. It is a profitable business that generates a foreign trade surplus while satisfying the extremely high demand of the local population for honey. These practices are inherently self-destructive but paradoxically are part of an economic activity that is destined to grow. As it turns out, the natural environment is extremely favourable for Apidae populations. Yet these fortunate circumstances are dependant also on a type of cultural behaviour.