Abstract

Human longevity is an emerging area of interdisciplinary research, and sociocultural anthropology provides important insights into the complex relationship between cultural practices, social structures and long lifespans. This review examines anthropological perspectives on longevity through analysis of relevant published literature. It highlights current understanding of how factors like cultural beliefs, social practices, dietary patterns, community structures and spiritual systems influence ageing across populations. Key findings reveal that longevity promoting factors include robust social networks and intergenerational relationships, traditional diets embedded within cultural food systems, integration of physical activity into meaningful daily activities, positive cultural attitudes towards ageing and spiritual beliefs that provide life purpose and resilience. Theoretical frameworks including the biocultural approach, social capital theory, practice theory, kinship theory etc. provide valuable perspectives for understanding human longevity in the socio-cultural context. However, processes like modernisation and globalisation can threaten traditional longevity promoting practices through dietary transitions, social network disruption and environmental degradation. The review also identifies some gaps and limitations in longevity research and also proposes future research directions. The findings can contribute to developing culturally sensitive interventions for healthy ageing and age-friendly community designs that use anthropological insights.

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