A Chinese beekeeper covered his semi-naked body in more than
460,000 bees for a publicity stunt aimed at selling more of his
honey, he told Paper Thursday, using a technique known as "bee
bearding".
She Ping, a 34-year-old honey merchant from the southwestern
Chinese metropolis of Chongqing, covered himself in bees that
collectively weighed more than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) in a
display for a group of French photographers on Wednesday, he
said.
Bee bearding is a global pursuit, and Indian Vipin Seth holds the
world record for wearing a mantle of bees weighing 61.4 kilograms,
according to Guinness World Records' official video channel.
Participants generally attract the bees by placing a queen bee in a
small cage hanging from their body.
Pictures of She's stunt show him posing topless beside more than a
dozen blue hives, before the insects swarm over his body, which
appears to be protected only by a plastic bag placed over his
head.
"To be honest I felt very nervous, but I do it to promote my
honey," She said, adding: "I'm used to dealing with bees... and
started these activities when I was about 22."
Chongqing has emerged as a hotspot for bee bearders, with several
other local honey merchants taking part, and honey shops with signs
showing them covered in the insects visible in the city.
A pair of beekeepers in northwest China got married while covered
in suits of bees, reports said in 2009.
"It hurt but I didn't dare to move," She said, adding that he was
stung more than 20 times during the 40-minute stunt.
"The main preparation is avoiding taking a shower, especially
avoiding using soap because it can excite the bees," he said.
China is one of the world's major producers of honey, though its
exports have been banned in several countries due to fears of
counterfeiting.
She admitted that his attempt fell short of a world record, but
claims the record for carrying out the stunt without any
clothes.
"Of the people who do it naked, I'm probably the most awesome," he
said.
