ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Features → Pieces

Meet the 80-year-old Iranian who hasn’t washed in 60 years

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
March 19, 2014 - Updated on April 28, 2023
in Pieces
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Amou Haji, 80, believes that “cleanliness brings him sickness.” For that reason, he hasn’t bathed in the past 60 years, and he’s unofficially called the “dirtiest man in the world”.

He lives in isolation in Dejgah village, in the Southern Iranian province of Fars. The man hates contact with water, and even the suggestion of a bath makes him angry. Apparently, as a young man, he was in love with a woman, but as she rejected him, he chose a life of isolation.

He dislikes fresh and clean food as much as he dislikes water — his preferred food is rotted porcupine meat. Meanwhile, his house is a grave-like hole in the ground. He drinks 4-6 liters of water each day (for health reasons, he claims) but only from a dirty, rusty old oil can. The man grooms his hair by burning it every now and then and fills his smoking pipe with animal feces instead of tobacco. An old war helmet keeps his head warm during the winter.

RelatedPosts

Slovakia’s capital plans to turn cigarette butts into asphalt for roads
Tasty moths try to evade predators — unappetizing moths don’t really bother
NASA gets $19.285B in 2016 budget – slightly more than requested
Elephants walk on their tip-toes and it’s literally killing them in captivity

You could argue that the man is mentally ill – that may very well be true, but it’s not a certainty. He sleeps on the ground, hasn’t washed in 60 years,  smokes doodoo and eats rotten meat, but he’s 80! He’s 80, he’s happy, and he’s apparently healthy, for a man his age. So what gives, society? Is this man a fantastic exception, or is this something we’ve not fully understood?

He also likes smoking normal cigarettes sometimes – but more than one at a time.

I really think psychological studies conducted on people living extremely isolated lives would be interesting, and would reveal valuable information about parts of our mind we know little about. Of course, the logistical problems and challenges of doing this are evident.

I am in no way trying to ridicule him or his lifestyle — if anything, I think there is something to learn from his story. First of all – happiness is a state of mind. Second of all, there are still many things we don’t understand about general human health — because he definitely shouldn’t be as healthy as he is. Third of all, some people live in (almost) total isolation — and we should all learn from their stories.

This articles was based on information from the Tehran Times.

Share25TweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Future

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

byTibi Puiu
8 hours ago
great white shark
Animals

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

byJordan Strickler
11 hours ago
Agriculture

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

byTudor Tarita
11 hours ago
News

Ancient ‘Zombie’ Fungus Trapped in Amber Shows Mind Control Began in the Age of the Dinosaurs

byMihai Andrei
11 hours ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.