Friday Special 'Himalayan Hunters, Parangge' In the Himalayas, there live the 'Parangge', a mountain tribe. 'Parangge' are people who make a living by collecting honey from rock cliffs 3,000~4,000m above sea level. They dig honey by fighting hundreds of thousands of bees while supporting themselves with only a rope at the edge of a cliff hundreds of meters high. Honey collection is done at the risk of their lives. 'Parangge' is not a job that just anyone can do. They believe that "only those who have communed with the Himalayan gods can climb up the cliff with a rope." However, this work that has been done for 1,200 years is fading away these days. In Nepal, where the caste system exists, they have lived by considering the job passed down from their ancestors as their calling, but due to indiscriminate collection, honey is gradually decreasing, and now many people are leaving their hometowns and going abroad to find another dream. The number of 'Parange' ancestors is decreasing, and they have a treasure map containing the locations of the stone saplings passed down to them. People who live in a humble but pure life. Let's go meet them now. ▶ Parange Village - Sikres Nepal is a country where various ethnic groups (Brahmin, Chetriya, Boisha, and Tsudra) live together. Within these four major caste systems, there are 92 different sub-castes (from Mongolian to Aryan), and 30 million people live in harmony. Sikres Village, located in the Himalayas, is a special village where only hill tribes live. The hill tribe (Mongol) people still live in harmony with nature, regardless of the development of the 21st century. This village, which can be reached by foot from the city of Pokhara in two days, is not easily found by tourists, so it is still known as the Vergin Village. The villagers are so strong that they do not come to the city except for daily necessities (salt, oil, etc.) and they even make their own traditional clothes. ▶ Meza, who has kept the 1,200-year-old tradition of the Barange, Meza (49) was born in Sikres and is a 'Barange' who has kept the 1,200-year-old tradition of collecting stone sap. Meza, who has inherited the Barange family since his grandfather, appeared on National Geographic and became famous for a time, but he still lives a life of seclusion, always grateful for the blessings of nature. His hometown is Sikres, but he spends 7-8 months out of the year (spring, summer, fall) in 'Hogu', 3,250m above sea level. He believes that living there with his family, farming and raising livestock is a life that was destined for him by heaven. He comes down to Sikres only when he runs out of food or daily necessities, and he has lived his whole life worshipping the Himalayas as a god, living a life unrelated to 21st century civilization. ▶ A journey to find stone sap It is the end of October when he sets out on his journey. He has 8 companions on his long 3-night, 4-day journey. They walk and walk again in search of the hidden secrets of the 1,200-year-old stone sap. The weight of the load they carry on their backs alone is 30kg. Carrying this load, they sometimes go up cliffs and sometimes through the jungle. Since it is difficult to find stone sap in the same place where they picked it last year, they have to find a new stone sap even if it means going through the jungle. Finally, they arrive at the place. They unpack their bags at the base camp, Goat, and offer a sacrifice to the god. They check their equipment only after receiving permission from the god. Now, their goal is the stone sap hidden in the cliffs tens or hundreds of meters high. ▶ Precious honey risking their lives - stone sap Oh, right there! It's stone sap. Stone sap is usually the size of a person, but sometimes it is the size of a car. First, they burn branches to create smoke and chase away bees. The Apis laboriosa that makes stone sap is the largest bee species in the world. It is about three times the size of a regular bee. Next, they drive wooden stakes to secure the equipment and lower a ladder that is 70 meters long and weighs 40 kg. Then, the mining begins, risking their lives. The baranges do not dig up all the stone sap they see. The freshly picked stone sap gives off a sweet scent. Tied to a single rope at the edge of a cliff, the 'baranges' dig up their treasure. ▶ A 1,200-year-old tradition in danger of disappearing - baranges Baranges have been hunting stone sap for 1,200 years with techniques that no one can do, inspired by the Himalayan god. However, as time gradually becomes more westernized, it is no longer easy to see the baranges digging stone sap. The young people of the village are busy leaving for the city or abroad, and it is not easy to find someone to inherit the baranges' skills. For Meja, baranges are a proud job of their entire life. Before baranges disappear forever, let's go out with Meja to dig up the treasure of th