Secrets to Longevity in Azerbaijan

Shirali Muslumov, a shepherd in the village of Lerik, is rumored to have lived up to 168 years, and currently, his daughter is 95.

Secrets to Longevity in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is known for regions with many centenarians, such as Lankaran, Nagorno-Karabakh, Lerik. Lerik's oldest resident, Raji Ibrahimova, is 105. But this is nothing compared to Shirali Muslumov, a shepherd believed to have lived up to 168 years. His yellowed passport notes his birth in 1805, and the tombstone records his death in 1973. If these numbers are true, Muslumov is the oldest person ever. However, there is currently no documented evidence to confirm these claims.

The longevity gene seems to run in the Muslumov family. Halima Qambarova, Muslumov's 95-year-old daughter, told CNN Travel that she may not reach 168 like her father, but she at least hopes to live to 150, like her grandfather, or 130, like her aunt.

Longevity Secret

Beyond genetics, Lerik residents in Azerbaijan have secrets for a long life. When the weather turns cold, most centenarians in the village move to more comfortable coastal areas in Lankaran, but Mrs. Halima Qambarova remains in Lerik. She lives in a modest two-story house left by her father, surrounded by refreshing apple and pear trees.

Seated by the window, wrapped in a shawl, she chats lightly and often switches to her native Talysh language, spoken by only about 200,000 people. Qambarova proudly showcases her passport without a birthdate, only noting the year 1924. At 95, she remains lively, engaging with her grandchildren, and revealing a humorous side. When asked about her age, she playfully claims to be just '15'.

A day in Qambarova's life starts at dawn; she doesn't allow herself to be lazy in bed. Her small room has a thick carpet and pillows on the floor. Many Lerik residents, like her, prefer sleeping on the ground with a thin blanket instead of a mattress, considering it the healthiest way to rest.

'Tranquil minds are part of the secret. They stay away from stress, contemplate life philosophically, live day by day, with little planning or worry for the future,' a local guide speaks about those who live long in the region.

Contrary to the common belief that a vegetarian diet promotes longevity, Lerik residents still consume meat, but they also enjoy shor (cheese), butter, milk, and ayran. The previous centenarians refrained from meat due to economic constraints. On a typical day, Qambarova's daughter-in-law invites her to enjoy freshly picked pears and apples from the garden along with some fragrant tea.

Mr. Mammadkhan Abbasov, 103, in the village of Jangamiran, is as busy as Qambarova and surrounded by grandchildren in his old age. Nearly devoid of sight and hearing, when Abbasov hears his son announce guests, he starts singing, praying, and wishing for all things good. 'He has always been a good man, living a righteous life,' Abbasov's son says about his father.

When it comes to diet, Mr. Abbasov embraces whatever 'God bestows,' never touching alcohol. He attributes much of his longevity to daily physical activities, enough to challenge the body without exhausting it. Alongside nutrition from produce, Abbasov used to drink a liter of mineral-rich cold spring water, believed to contribute to extending lifespan.

The secret to a long life lies in balanced nutrition, minerals from spring water, and herbs added to tea to prevent illnesses, so people don't have to rely on any medications, only natural remedies, says a local guide in the region.

Longevity Museum

Lerik is also home to the world's only Longevity Museum. Located at 22 A.Asadullayev Street, the museum, constructed in 1991 and renovated in 2010, houses over 2,000 artifacts documenting the lives and memories of the longest-living residents in the region.

Exhibition rooms feature longevity charts, family items like a clothing iron passed down through three generations, trunks filled with clothing, silver cups and bowls, hand-knit socks, and vibrant handmade dyed carpets, all considered vintage. Visitors can find letters written in both Arabic and Russian, artistic creations from the past. The most captivating are the portraits of centenarians hanging on the museum walls. These images, dating back to the 1930s, were gifted by French photographer Frederic Lachop.

The museum and statistics from Azerbaijan define 'centenarians' as anyone over 90 years old. However, in 1991, over 200 Lerik residents registered records of reaching 100 years old, out of a total of 63,000 inhabitants. These numbers gradually declined, with locals attributing it to radiation from television towers and deteriorating living conditions. Currently, there are 11 individuals over 100 years old, out of a total of 83,800 local residents living in Lerik.

Statistics on the age of Lerik villagers living over 100 years old remain a controversial topic, but no one can deny the simplicity of their longevity secrets: staying active, consuming balanced nutrition, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining a positive outlook on life.

According to Bao Ngoc/ Vnexpress

***

Reference: Travel Guide Mytour