Abstract
This paper highlights the deep bond between bees and humans constituted by the intermediation of honey, which is produced by bees and consumed by humans. From classics to recent works in anthropology and sociology, studies focused on honeybees and beekeeping are mentioned. Bees are fundamental beings for the maintenance of life, that is, “indispensable companions”, without whom we cannot live. It is precisely these beings fundamental to life that, in the Anthropocene, have been suffering population declines. The bee crisis arises in this context and, along with it, emerges a dystopian imaginary according to which human life, at the limit, would be unfeasible without its indispensable companions. It is in this way that anthropology is challenged by such emerging themes, and the present article seeks to contribute to the problems brought by the Anthropocene that threatens “indispensable companions” to human life.
Keywords:
bees; anthropology; dystopia; Anthropocene