Meet Emirati ‘dean’ of beekeeping, 14-year-old ‘youngest’ beekeeper

The five-day Hatta Honey Festival, which began on Friday, serves as a vibrant gathering of both young and veteran Emirati beekeepers. Among them is Hamad Ali bin Rabaa Al Kaabi, a distinguished figure in his 70s, often referred to as the ‘dean’ of beekeeping in the UAE.

“I have about 1,000 beehives, with 600 in Oman and the rest in Al Ain. I oversee and inspect the hives year-round,” Al Kaabi, who hails from Al Ain, told Gulf

“I’m one of the older beekeepers, if not the oldest, but I’m the first person in my family to enter this field. I’ve been practicing beekeeping for the past 26 years,” added Al Kaabi, a former army colonel who now runs his own honey and beekeeping brand, Bin Rabaa Honey and Bees.

Photos from Hatta Honey Festival 2024, of the oldest beeker Hamad Ali Bin Rabaa Al Kaabi.

Al Kaabi’s honey production primarily takes place in Oman, where Sidr honey is the focus.

“The mountains are the ideal location for honey production due to the low humidity. The dry, arid conditions result in thicker and higher-quality honey,” he said, as young beekeepers passed by to greet him and exchange notes.

Beekeeping is a subject Al Kaabi is passionate about, and he shared insights into the critical roles of the queen bee as the colony’s leader and the worker bees that maintain the hive.

“I’ve always had a love for honey, which inspired me to start beekeeping. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fascinating. You get to learn a lot from the bees,” he said.

He also noted that many younger people are now expressing an interest in entering the beekeeping profession.

‘I started at 9 years’

Just as the veteran spoke about the younger generation’s interest in beekeeping, 14-year-old Abdallah Hamad Al Kaabi made an appearance at his own honey stall. The teenager, almost hidden behind his honey products, is being touted as the youngest beekeeper at the festival.

Photo of the youngest beekeeper, Abdallah Hamad Al Kaabi at the Hatta Honey Festival,

“I am the fourth generation of beekeepers in my family. We’ve been practicing beekeeping for over 70 years. As a child, I used to accompany my father to the hives, and that’s when my interest began,” said Abdallah, a 9th-grade student from Al Ain.

Balancing schoolwork with his passion for beekeeping, Abdallah underlined that it’s not difficult for him. “I’ve been selling honey for the past four years. It all started at the Hatta Honey Festival. My family has been incredibly supportive. I try to balance my studies with my work, but I prioritise school, especially during exam periods.”

Favourite honey

Among the more than 20 types of honey products he offers, Abdallah’s favourite is Sidr honey mixed with olives. “It’s a rare variety, sourced from the mountains, and can be as old as four years,” he said.

Looking to the future, Abdallah has big plans for his business. “I started at nine years old. We’re five brothers, and I’m the eldest. They are all learning from me. I run a small shop now, but I’ve gained a lot of experience. I also get help from other staff members. My dream is to expand my business and eventually have my own production line,” he said, referring to his brand, Ashiq AlBar Honey Trading.

Photos of Emirati beekeeper Mohamad Mubarak Al Badwawi who met with Sheikh Mohammed Hamdan at the Hatta Honey Festival 2024.

The Hatta Honey Festival is the UAE’s premier annual event dedicated to supporting Emirati beekeepers and the honey production industry. Organised by Dubai Municipality, the festival runs until December 31 and features over 50 Emirati beekeepers. The festival is open to public.

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