There are billions of people in this world, each with their unique ways of living. Some lives are so vastly different from ours that it can be hard to imagine. Today, we bring you the extraordinary story of Amou Haji, a man who lived his life very differently from the rest. Keep reading to learn more about his unconventional journey.
Amou Haji, a hermit from the village of Dez Gah in Iran, made a decision that set him apart from the rest – he chose to forgo bathing for a staggering 67 years. Despite the differing opinions on how often one should shower, the concept of regular hygiene remains a common practice across cultures. But for Amou Haji, cleanliness took a backseat to his own personal reasons.
Born in 1928, this Iranian man fascinated the locals who referred to him as ‘Amou Haji,’ meaning ‘old man.’ He lived in a cinderblock home on the outskirts of the village, and despite his unorthodox lifestyle, people accepted his presence.
Amou Haji had his own peculiar “hygiene” routine. He would burn off the hair from his head and beard using fire whenever he felt that they grew too long. As a result, his hair and skin took on a uniform grey color, a testament to his unique approach to personal grooming.
Despite his aversion to showers, Amou Haji seemed to enjoy relatively good health throughout his tumultuous life. Speculations arose that his fear of water might be the reason for his resistance to bathing. However, this premise was disproven, as he would eagerly consume up to 5 liters of water per day from a tarnished tin can.
When it came to his diet, Amou Haji preferred to scavenge for his own food rather than accepting fresh offerings from others. He developed a taste for roadkill, with his favorite being porcupine. Remarkably, he would consume the roadkill completely raw, regardless of how rotten or aged the meat was. Additionally, he was known to smoke animal dung from a pipe, parallel to his fondness for cigarettes.
People might find it concerning that his lifestyle and diet were far from conventional, but Dr. Gholamreza Molavi of Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Public Health conducted tests on Amou Haji before his demise. Surprisingly, the results showed that despite his parasitic food-borne disease, trichinosis, contracted from his roadkill consumption, his overall health remained relatively unscathed.
Amou Haji lived an incredible life, characterized by his resilience and refusal to conform to societal norms. Despite our reservations about his choices, it is undeniable that his individuality is fascinating. What did you think while reading about Amou Haji’s life? Share your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to spread this captivating story to others who might find it equally enthralling.
