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2nd Hellenic Scientific Conference in Apiculture-Sericulture
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THE TRADITIONAL APICULTURE IN LARISA

a production activity, by definition, free of chemicals
Theofanis Kouvounas
Professor
trofallaksi@yahoo.gr

The harmonic coexistence of human and nature is perfectly demonstrated by the life
attitude of the people who have been working with apiculture. The study of this
particular relation is probably, by far, the simplest way for the term sustainability to
be understood in any of its dimensions including ecosystem, society, economy and the
like.
The majority of the beehives used to live in traditional hives designated as kofinia or
kipseles in Greek language or alternatively in constructions made of stones or bricks
(known as pulitses or melissoduvara in Greek) and the apiarist, due to this
particular fact, had to act in a sustainable and well balanced way.
This particular research effort targets and emphasizes in highlighting and
demonstrating the special constructional features of the various traditional beehives
which have emerged in the course of time in the area of Larissa Prefecture-Central
Greece-Thessaly. Furthermore, emphasis was put in disclosing the philosophy and the
adopted working practices of their owners.
The research sample which was used in this work included thirty families, each one of
them deeply and traditionally involved in the trade of apiculture and living in Larissa
Prefecture. From them the research support data were collected which then were
further evaluated and analyzed. Concerning the applied methodology in this work,
initially a specific questionnaire was distributed to each one of those families,
including a comprehensive set of questions regarding working practices, products,
flowers and diseases related to the bee and the like. This questionnaire formulated by
proper modification of an original one constructed by the Greek Society of archives
for apiculture (E.DI.A.M.) under the name Kirinthos.
The research was further extended by visiting several important places for the
traditional apiculture in the area of Larissa Prefecture, like the Folkloric Museum of
Gonni village or Apiculture Monuments established in Anatoli village. In those places
a debate was held with both old and young apiarists which was proved particularly
fruitful concerning data collection and covered several aspects like wild bee
accumulations in rural places , free bee hunting etc.
All this material consists part of the cultural heritage of the area. It is worth to report
that a great deal of beehives in Gonni and Anatoli villages were accommodated in
hives made of stacks of dry stones while at the same time the most popular and usual
techniques to solve the bee disorder of the suppression of honey production due to
unknown cause (bee depression) used to be either feeding them by syrup or rarely
moving them to several places.
In conclusion, the foundation of an Environmental Training Centre with activities
focused on all these heritage concerning apiculture and its tradition in the region of
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2nd Hellenic Scientific Conference in Apiculture-Sericulture
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Larissa is strongly suggested. Furthermore, there is a requirement for regular press and
electronic media promotion of all places within the above mentioned region and which
is dedicated in conserving of all this information concerning apiculture and its progress
along the time.

Key words: pulitses,

melissomantri, dry-stones.

melissoduvara,

kofinia,

kouveli,kousiori,saloma,

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2nd Hellenic Scientific Conference in Apiculture-Sericulture
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