THIRTY-MINUTE JOURNEY WITH HONEYBEE: A LESSON FOR REFLECTION - A REVIEW

Last night, we had another date with Albaqiyah Heritage Foundation on a mind-blowing journey into the world of these small yet amazing creatures - honeybees by Mal. Ibrahim Uba Zango (@IbrahimUbaZango). He opened the discussion with a compelling argument that humans, without bees, will not survive for more than four years, this was backed by Albert Einstein’s quote “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man will have no more than four years to live.” This is courtesy of their pollination activities which is said to have accounted for one third of the food we have today. We need to acknowledge the service of these busy insects for human race.

Talking about busy, it will interest to you to know that the cliché ‘as busy as bee’ is beyond exaggeration, for they spend almost two-third of their time relaxing. Yes! after a great work of course. Mal. Ibrahim dived into their anatomical construct and how their features support the mechanism of their existence and their classifications. And he called them non-aggressive. Really? But why the stinging? They only use it for defense when one tries to discomfort them. Do you know the myth that if you are stung by bees seven times, you may be immune from cancer? Please this is not true, but their venom is used for medicinal purposes.

Now the reflections… The presenter being an Animal Scientist, a good one for that matter, was inspired by some Quranic verses from Suratul Nahl to pick this topic. The verses are: “And your Lord inspired the bees: “Make (your) homes in the mountains, the trees, and in what people construct. And feed from (the flower of) any fruit (you please) and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you.” From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colours, in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect. (Chapter16: 68-69)

The presenter further commented on this remarkable social organization and roles of these social insects. He reflected on several valuable lessons we can learn from their fascinating world thus:

Social Structure: Bees live in a meticulously organized community, with a single queen responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the colony's population. Workers, non-reproductive female bees, care for the queen, nurse, clean, forage, build, and repair the hive. Drones, male bees, mate with the queen. This division of labor showcases their efficient teamwork.

Productive Life: Bees lead simple yet productive lives, dedicating themselves to their roles. Their work ethic and innate sense of responsibility are admirable, demonstrating the value of delegation and division of labour.

Seamless Succession: The honeybee colony boasts an incredible succession of power, with no chaos or disruption. When the queen bee passes away, a new one takes over, ensuring the colony's continuity.

Teamwork and Communication: Bees exhibit remarkable teamwork, with each member working together seamlessly. They constantly communicate with each other, sharing vital information about food sources and threats.

Frugal and Forward-Thinking: Bees live within their means, expanding their hives only when necessary to accommodate more population. They store food for the future, demonstrating their forward-thinking nature.

Mal Ibrahim's presentation was an eye-opener, encouraging us to appreciate and learn from the incredible world of bees. Their fascinating social structure, work ethic, and teamwork offer valuable lessons for us to reflect upon.