Moual honey hunters of the Sundarbans
সুন্দরবনের মৌয়াল
Teams of honey collectors who sail into the mangroves each April, praying to Bonbibi for protection.
At a glance
- Where
- Khulna district, Khulna division
- Best time
- spring (Feb–Mar)
Mouals are traditional honey collectors from villages such as those in Koyra on the forest edge. Each season they set out in boats with a pass from the Forest Department, travelling in groups and smoking bees from hives high in the mangroves. Before entering the forest many offer prayers to Bonbibi, the forest guardian honoured by both Hindus and Muslims. The work is dangerous, and tiger attacks are part of local memory.
Good to know
Some tour operators can arrange meetings with honey-collecting families outside the season.
Where to stay in Khulna
Common questions
Where can you see Moual honey hunters of the Sundarbans?
In Khulna district, Khulna division.
When can you see Moual honey hunters of the Sundarbans?
Spring (Feb–Mar).
More from Khulna
District guide →
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খুলনা থেকে সুন্দরবন ভ্রমণBoard a river boat in Khulna and wake up two days later among mangrove channels, deer and kingfishers.
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Nearby
Food Chui jhal mutton
Khulna · চুইঝাল দিয়ে খাসির মাংসRich goat curry cooked with chunks of chui vine, a pepper-like stem that tingles and warms.
Representative photo Food Golda chingri
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Food Sundarbans honey
Khulna · সুন্দরবনের মধুWild honey from mangrove flowers, gathered each spring by honey hunters in the forest.
Food Indromohon's Rosogolla and Sandesh
Khulna · ইন্দ্রমোহনের রসগোল্লা আর সন্দেশRosogolla, sandesh and clay-pot doi from Khulna's best-known old sweet shop on Helatola Road.