Bajan Honey is Good for You
When he’s working, Ahmed is usually hidden beneath his beekeeping suit, the essential armour that protects him as he tends to his hives. Tightly sealing his gloves with rubber bands he warns, “they have a way of finding their way in, no matter how secure you think you are”.
Born and raised in Bridgetown, Ahmed is a Bajan Muslim with strong Indian roots – his paternal grandfather and maternal great grandfather were from India. After attending Erdiston Primary School and later The Lodge School, he travelled and lived overseas for many years, attaining a Masters in Islamic Theology and Jurisprudence in the UK. He studied with experienced beekeepers who inspired his interest in apiculture. And his goal of producing his own pure, raw, unfiltered honey, was in part because of his insatiable sweet tooth! But there were other motivations...
“There’s a verse in the Quran that describes honey as ‘a cure for humanity,’” Ahmed explains. Inspired by both science and spirituality, he began researching the golden nectar and what he found was troubling: much of the honey on supermarket shelves worldwide was adulterated, blended with syrups in what experts have called one of the world’s largest food scams.
In contrast, raw honey is considered a superfood – rich antioxidants, enzymes, and plant compounds that support immune health and even aid wound healing.
In 2019 the Barbados government introduced free training programmes to expand apiculture. Determined to learn more, Ahmed participated in the initiative, attending the University of Florida’s Caribbean Beekeeping Training course, alongside his daughter, and soon after launched Habeebees in 2020. He was particularly inspired by one of his mentors, who would venture into gullies and caves seeking out wild hives.
Save the Bees and
We Will Flourish
Now several years on, Habeebees is a brand that champions authenticity, wellness, and respect for nature. They produce the “real deal” – pure Barbadian honey, honeycomb, beeswax and propolis. He also provides hive management and ethical bee removals, rescuing colonies that would otherwise be destroyed and relocating them to safer spaces. These removals are a delicate balance: bees are essential pollinators for Barbados, but they can be hazardous when they nest in homes, businesses and neighbourhoods.
Worldwide, bee populations are at risk with their habitats shrinking and exposure to pesticides, but are so important for human survival – pollinating a third of our food crops. Climate change with shifting weather patterns also impacts the time when honey can be harvested, making it a difficult undertaking for bees and beekeepers alike. “Save the bees and we will flourish” says Ahmed.
Through his work, Ahmed is quietly preserving an endangered species that needs more protection in Barbados, producing a superfood of exceptional quality in the process, and continuing a centuries-old craft. His story is less about recognition and more about safeguarding the ancient rhythm of the bees, whose quiet labour continues to sweeten and sustain Barbados.
You can meet Ahmed and buy Habeebees honey, honeycomb and beeswax at Brighton Farmers Market, most Saturday mornings.
www.honey.bb | habeebees246
