KORPUS OVARIUM

“The honey-harvesting rite—one of Timor Island’s most important commodities—is no less complex. This ritual is led by an anatobe, the guardian of the forest, who carries out his role by summoning the forces of nature. The Mollo people assign an anthropomorphic status to honeybees by regarding them as fetonai (literally meaning ‘noble lady,’ a title commonly borne by aristocratic Timorese women). Thus, a meo stationed atop the tree invites the fetonai with hymns of seduction. Reverence for the princess is performed in contemplative silence throughout the ritual.”