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Aug 14, 2011
Hookah: the basics


Many names or synonyms are given to this device. It is known as Hookah, Narguille, Shish or water pipe. 


This device is used to smoke a special flavored tobacco. It is of Eastern origin but recently is gaining popularity  among European Union and North American countries.


Hookah smoking began in the East, although it is unclear precisely which. It is believed that it was in India, China or Egypt 600 years ago.

Initially, the base was made of coconut, but over the centuries has evolved and improved; now they are made of glass, and the most luxurious ones can be made of silver or gold.

It is believed that the Arabs invented the Sish and distributed worldwide, but was under the british colonization of India when the british exported this invention to the western world.


The hookah made its way through the Persian Kingdom. This included Pakistan, Afghanistan, much of Middle Asia and northern Africa. On its journey through Persia (Iran) it acquired tombeik (a dark tobacco) also known as hookah tobacco. Hookahs designed in the Persian Empire were handcrafted from a piece of wood.




When the hookah was introduced in Turkey, there was a surge of popularity among the upper class and intellectuals.


They took the design and increased its size and complexity. Designs today are similar to the Turkish hookahs. Brass and glass were added to the design and less wood. Intricate artwork and mosaics were added for elegance and beauty.




The popularity grew into hookah coffee shops about 250 years ago. The hookah bar waiter was treated like a chef due to the preparation required for smoking. Packing the tobacco and ensuring the correct moisture was a skill and it was considered rude to the touch the coals.


Hookah migrated from Turkey to Lebanon and Syria where it got the name “argile”. It then spread to Egypt and Morocco. There, it took on the name shisha. It is also known as the hubble bubble in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

From there, the hookah made its way to southeast Asia and Europe.
Most hookah smoking nations serve Naklia shisha (or sheesha ). This 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 assisted in creating a negative stigma for the hookahs used today.