World’s Dirtiest Man’ Amou Haji Passes Away at the Age of 94 Months After his First Bath in 60 Years
Amou Haji, an Iranian hermit who gained the notorious title of the “world’s dirtiest man” for abstaining from bathing for over five decades, has passed away at the remarkable age of 94, as reported by state media.
Known affectionately as “Amou Haji,” this enigmatic individual resided in the village of Dejgah in the southern province of Fars. Covered in soot and dwelling in a modest cinder-block shack, Haji had made headlines for his unusual lifestyle, which involved eschewing water and soap for bathing for more than 60 years. Local reports suggested that he had experienced emotional challenges during his youth, which contributed to his aversion to personal hygiene.
According to the Irna news agency, a few months ago, villagers managed to convince Haji to cleanse himself for the first time, marking a significant departure from his longstanding practice. However, it was on Sunday that Haji’s journey came to an end.
Haji’s legacy of refraining from bathing for an extended period may potentially be surpassed by an Indian man. In 2009, the Hindustan Times featured an article about Kailash “Kalau” Singh, residing in a village near the holy city of Varanasi, who had also chosen to forego bathing for more than three decades. Singh’s unorthodox method involved what he referred to as a “fire bath,” where he would ignite a bonfire, engage in prayer, and smoke marijuana, believing it would eradicate germs and infections in his body.
Singh, in his pursuit of national betterment, reportedly stated, “It’s just like using water to take a bath. Fire bath helps kill all the germs and infections in the body.”
Although Amou Haji’s passing marks the end of an era, his extraordinary lifestyle and the unconventional choices he made will undoubtedly remain a subject of fascination and curiosity for years to come.
