Gaiya is one of the names used by the Gubbi Gubbi people of the Sunshine Coast for the native stingless bee. The bees can also be called guta or gila, possibly names for three different native bee species in this area.
Native bees have cultural significance for Indigenous people from many parts of Australia. Honey was highly prized, given as gifts or traded, and used medicinally. Native bee honey—often known as sugarbag—contains resins from native trees and is rare and special.
Gubbi Gubbi terms
- ga ‘bai — honey of the light-coloured native bee
- gila — honey of the dark-coloured native bee
- gu ‘li — native beeswax
Native beeswax has traditionally been used to seal and caulk artefacts and tools, and to form didgeridoo mouthpieces.