In a little-known mountainous space referred to as Hunza Valley, positioned far north of Pakistan, individuals appear to defy all medical odds.
It’s primarily dwelling to the Burusho and Wakhi individuals, who for hundreds of years have survived and thrived in distant villages — with minimal facilities and rudimentary well being amenities. Research have discovered that the common life expectancy right here is around 100 years.
My husband was born and raised right here, and is from the Burusho indigenous neighborhood. After we bought married, I left the U.S. and we settled down within the Central a part of the valley.
Listed below are some intriguing habits that assist the individuals of Hunza stay longer:
1. They devour apricot seeds and oil
Apricot timber are probably the most vital native crops within the valley. Studies have proven that apricot seeds may help combat most cancers and different sources of irritation within the physique, partially resulting from a compound referred to as amygdalin.
Most individuals in Hunza have a minimum of one apricot tree, and the seeds are harvested from contained in the apricots each summer time.
Photograph: Samantha Shea
Practically each conventional Hunzai dish contains apricot oil. Again within the day, it was made by hand, however now locals use machines to extract it from their harvested kernels.
My mother-in-law instructed me that fifty years in the past, it was all anybody used to cook dinner meals with, even meat. Dried variations of the fruit additionally assist with altitude illness, and are boiled right into a soup come winter.
My father-in-law organizing dried apricots on his roof
Photograph: Samantha Shea
2. They by no means cease transferring
Folks listed below are wholesome and lively all through their lives, nicely into outdated age. It is quite common to see of us of their 80s outdoors, even within the winter. Aged relations nonetheless graze their cows and sheep, gather wooden, and do different family duties.
Additionally they take part in neighborhood actions like “rajaki,” which entails cleansing out the elevated water canals when spring arrives.
Locals of all ages cycle, skate, and play sports activities like soccer and cricket every single day.
3. They drink glacier water
Hunza is full of dozens of glaciers, all of which soften all through the summer time.
A shiny, dark-grey liquid, “Hunza water” has lengthy held the curiosity of scientists. Not like different water sources, this glacial water is of course filtered by layers of ice and rock and incorporates valuable minerals.
A view of the Passu Glacier from Patundas, a meadow in Higher Hunza the place locals carry their livestock to each summer time
Photograph: Samantha Shea
What Hunza glaicer water appears like straight from the supply
Photograph: Samantha Shea
The runoff typically lasts from Might to October every year, which is whenever you’ll discover it served at eating places and in properties. Locals swear by it, and like it to filtered water.
4. They hardly ever eat processed meals
Virtually each piece of meat eaten in Hunza comes from a regionally sourced animal that is been not too long ago killed.
Folks hardly ever eat processed meals, and also you actually will not discover any quick meals spots right here. Meals are sometimes ready contemporary within the dwelling each day, and virtually each family grows some type of vegetable.
Spinach is very in style, and different favorites like tomatoes and potatoes are grown regionally and organically.
5. They’ve robust neighborhood values
Neighborhoods and villages are tight-knit, and the individuals of Hunza deal with one another, particularly the older members of the neighborhood.
Retirement properties do not exist right here. Elders are extremely revered and attended to by their households.
Myself and two robust older girls from Chapursan Valley, which is likely one of the most distant components of Hunza located alongside the Wakhan Hall
Photograph: Samantha Shea
With basically zero crime, it is secure sufficient for youths to wander about on their very own, even at younger ages. It is doubtless one of many final locations the place you will see extra out of doors play than iPad play.
Having lived right here for for the previous two years, I can fortunately say that I’ve by no means had the privilege of experiencing a society as collective as this one.
Samantha Shea is a Polish-American journey author from Connecticut. She lives and works remotely in Hunza Valley, Pakistan, and runs women’s tours to the area. Comply with her on Instagram and YouTube.
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