History of the Hookah

The hookah with its origins in India some 1,000 years earlier made its way through the Persian Kingdom, which also included Pakistan, Afghanistan, much of Middle Asia and Arab parts of Northern Africa. These hookahs (relatively unchanged for over a century) used larger, older style heads that had hot coal applied directly to the wet tobacco, which gave it a strong flavor.

When the hookah made its way into Turkey about 500 years ago, it endured a surge of popularity among the upper class and intellectuals and thus changing in design. The hookah grew in size and complexity and became similar to designs that we are more familiar with today. Brass and glass were added to the design and less wood was used. Intricate paintings and mosaics were added for beauty and elegance.

Hookah smoking migrated south into the Arab world from Turkey to Lebanon and Syria where it got the name Argile. It then spread into Egypt and Morocco, where it is known as Shisha. It is also known as the hubble-bubble in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Today, hookah bars are social places where many people get together to discuss politics and local events while drinking coffee or tea.

Most hookah smoking countries serve Nakhla Shisha. Nakhla Shisha is a combination of foreign tobaccos, honey molasses and dried fruit. The smoke is filtered through ice-cold water to make the smoke cool and soothing. Older generations smoked hashish and opium, which has created a negative stigma for the hookah. Slowly society is accepting the hookah as more of a pipe for tobacco instead of illegal drugs. The hookah has been growing in popularity in the United States and Europe since the initial introduction during the 60’s. Now they are in every college smoke shop and Mid East market across the entire country

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