31/10/2026
🎃 Today, we have a little story to spark your curiosity…
In English folklore, bees were considered part of the family. They were therefore told about important events, including births, marriages and deaths.
When someone died, a family member would approach the hives to share the news and might cover them with black cloth. According to the belief, forgetting to tell the bees could cause them to abandon the hive or stop producing honey.
This tradition is called “Telling the bees”: an old custom that reflects the deep bond between beekeepers and their bees. 🐝
Had you heard this story before? Are there any beliefs or traditions involving bees in your area?
Happy Halloween from the whole OXALIKA team! 👻
Source: Museum of Cambridge – “Folklore in Cambridgeshire: Telling the Bees”