Thursday, April 9, 2015

A Whole Nest Of Hermits...!

Usually when you think of hermits, you think of a single individual, right? What about a family of 6?

While I can understand wanting to break away from society, I think I would prefer to do it alone. Well, maybe with a dog or cat for companionship, ya know? This next story takes the whole living apart thing to a new and disturbing level!

With No Contact

In 1978, a team of geologists in Siberia were stunned to discover a family of six living on a mountainside, miles from the nearest civilization. The Lykov family fled religious persecution in 1936 and lived in the wild for the next 40 years. The two youngest children had never seen a human being that wasn’t a member of their own family, but they were aware of their existence. Their language was distorted due to the isolation, and they had never seen bread.

In a single room, the family survived on a diet of potatoes, ground rye, and hemp seeds and hadn’t eaten meat until the late ’50s when the younger boy taught himself to trap. Their shoes were made of bark, and their only reading materials were prayer books and a family Bible. In 1961, cold weather destroyed the family’s crops, reducing them to eating bark and shoe leather. Their mother died of starvation during this time, making sure her children had enough to eat. After their discovery, the Lykovs remained in their remote home, accepting only a few useful items.

Three years later, three of the Lykov children died within days of each other. Their father died in 1988, leaving Agafia (the only remaining child) alone on the mountain, where she has chosen to stay for another 25 years.

While the original plan is understandable, the end result feels a little sad to me. Still, these folks stood by their vision. That says a lot about their character, I think.

Coffee out on the patio this morning, OK?

8 comments:

Mamahen said...

You find the most intersting stories...I can almost understand their thinking. Patio it is..I'm thinking sausage gravy n biscuits for .breakast ..anyone else care for some?

Chickenmom said...

Ah, Mr. Hermit - you did it to me again!
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/for-40-years-this-russian-family-was-cut-off-from-all-human-contact-unaware-of-world
Breakfast sounds delicious, Mamahen - save me a seat!

Momlady said...

Yes, indeed, an interesting story. Coffee sounds good but I'll have to pass on the biscuit and gravy, Mamahen. 'preciate the offer.

linda m said...

It is sad to think they stayed living there in those conditions for so long. Their initial reason for moving out there is understandable; but staying there that long isn't. Breakfast sounds yummy. Save me a place.

Hermit's Baby Sis said...

I'd rather have biscuits and gravy with friends than live alone on the mountain for 25 years. Even with Bubba for company - we'd just read all day and discuss authors and what book is next, anyway.
Big hugs -

JO said...

Interesting story. To bad they didn't know how to preserve their food for hard times but hey they made it for 25 yrs.

Coffee on the patio sounds wonderful

Dizzy-Dick said...

When I was a young boy, I always daydreamed of living in the woods and eating wild foods. But then I realized I was too spoiled to even try that. So, although I spent most of days in the woods, I would come home to my momma for meals and to be tucked in at bed-time.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
I do love biscuits and gravy! I'm glad that you found this story interesting. So did I!

Thanks for coming over today!



Hey Phyllis...
I know how you like to look this stuff up! Keeps ya busy!

Many thanks for stopping by today!



Hey Momlady...
Glad you liked it! Definitely different, that's for sure!

Thanks for stopping by today!



Hey Linda M...
That's the same thing I was thinking.

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Sis...
I wouldn't be that bad, would I?

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Jo...
They were sure not prepared, that's for sure!

Thanks, sweetie, for dropping by today!



Hey Dizzy...
Sounds like a wise choice to me!

Thanks for stopping in today!