I whisper to the bees, they understand who I am-Ethiopian man reveals

 

Tamirat Getachew's ability to keep bees has surprised many people in his hometown of Asosa, in Ethiopia.

How does he do it?

"It's a gift," he tells the BBC.

The 18-year-old boy allows the bees to gather on his chest and head without wearing any kind of protection. Sometimes he even lets a bee into his mouth.

"I have a special ability to be close to bees without covering my mouth and ears," he explains. It was only five years ago that Mr Tamirat started being close to bees for the first time.

"They jumped and settled on my body when I was passing by [the bee farm] once I saw that they were starting to pay attention to what I was saying," he says.

According to him, he did nothing to attract them. ''They just understand who I am. Bees are like humans to those who approach them."

However, his relatives and neighbors were initially worried. ''They were afraid. They warned me not to approach the bees as they can be dangerous. However, I knew my gift at that time," Mr. Tamirat says.

Eventually, they discovered he has a special relationship with honey bees. Beekeepers usually harvest honey at night to prevent bee stings, especially in rural areas of Ethiopia.

Studies have shown that bee stings can be fatal.

BY MPASHO NEWS