The Honey Extraction Feast

Foto Dalia Blažulionytė

   On October 5th, the administration of Dzukija national park organized the Honey Extraction Feast which took place in the Beekeeping museum in Musteika village. It was the last time this year when the honey was extracted from the hollows.
   Beekeeping in tree hollows a traditional trade dated from the 13th century is now carefully cultivated and preserved. If you want to climb a tree to extract honey from a hollow, you need special skills and experience. 
    What is more, you need a special equipment to climb a tree. When you reach the hollow, you open the door and take out the honey leaving some for the diligent bees to survive a long winter. Watching the tree climbing the first time you have a real entertainment. Everybody who took part in the feast were treated to fresh honey and taught how to cook a traditional food called ,,hornets’” honey, that people used to make during the Advent and family holidays when they were short of clear honey. It was made from sugar, flour and semolina. It was a real delicacy for children.
    The feast took place next to the renovated Three Crosses of Musteika village. The old crosses in Marcinkonys country-side district, were restored thanks to the common efforts of Dzukija national park administration and Musteika village community.
    The dean of Marcinkonys- Kabeliai parish A. Vaickunas sanctified the crosses as well as the restored chapel. The villagers chanted, prayed and communicated round the big white table with forest bee honey on it.
May God Bless the crosses, the villages, their children, grandchildren and everyone who visits Musteika.

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