Who invented the hookah?
What associations usually arise with the hookah? The enchanting world of the East, the tales of "One Thousand and One Nights," the fragrance of characteristic sweet smoke in the air, the secrets of the land of the Pharaohs, sensual belly dancers, soft pillows scattered on the floor, and a stunning atmosphere. The hookah (shisha, nargile) is probably the most famous device in the world used for smoking flavored tobacco. The name "kalyan" itself comes from the word "huqqa," which in Arabic means a pot or jug. But when did it actually appear, and where did it come from?
The History of Creation and the Culture of Hookahs
It is quite difficult to find the inventor of the first hookah. There remains only one explanation: that it was never invented as such, but always existed, constantly evolving. As sources show, hookahs have a long history. They were created simultaneously in many places on Earth, which speaks of the boundlessness of human ingenuity. The idea of water filtration became obvious to many ethnic cultures. It was believed that inhaling cool, moist smoke was much more pleasant than hot smoke.
However, the first regions where the smoking of dry herbs was recorded were Africa and Central Asia. The origins of hookahs are located on the Indo-Pakistani border. It is assumed that the first genuine hookah originated in India. Before they began to be made of glass and metal, they had a primitive structure—they were made from coconut shells and bamboo wood. It was only when the hookah came to Persia that its appearance became more refined. Glass and metal elements began to be used mainly to decorate the appearance of the smoking device. But this was not always compatible with functionality.
Initially, before the appearance of tobacco, the hookah was used for smoking opium and hashish. Today, there is no need to fall into a deep stupor, and the hookah is used by people who simply want to occasionally enjoy the process of smoking tobacco among connoisseurs. To make its taste more pleasant, it is mixed with honey or sweeteners. Hookahs were also often used for medical purposes—for steam inhalations with extracts of medicinal herbs. This is why they first appeared where this method of treatment was used.
Then, the hookah spread to Iran, and from there was adopted by the entire Arab culture. Hookahs owe their current form to the Turks, and it is thanks to them that they gained such popularity throughout the world. The design has acquired precise details over the years, which directly affected the ease of use. Among the intelligentsia and in the homes of wealthy people, the hookah became fashionable at the beginning of the 17th century—more than 500 years ago, when it was brought to Turkey.
In Arab countries, the smoking ceremony is associated with many rituals that have become an integral part of men's business meetings, conversations, and negotiations, where participants can inhale thick aromatic smoke for hours. The hookah is usually placed on the floor to symbolize human victory over addiction. The hookah hose is not passed to other joint smokers but is placed on the table, thereby emphasizing the voluntary use of the smoking device.
Since then, its shape has changed again, taking the current outlines that we know today. The method of preparing tobacco has also changed. Mint, coffee, or pieces of fruit began to be added to it, giving a new bouquet of aromas. The most popular were and remain apple, cherry, grape, and lemon. Also, instead of wood coal, coconut shell coal is used, which is much softer and does not leave a characteristic unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Thanks to the palette of smoking pipes of our great-grandfathers, we currently have hookahs of various designer shapes—from ordinary traditional to the most modern devices.
Every decent hookah should practically contain:
Vase (glass, copper, or ceramic), into which water is poured;
Stem – a metal tube that is responsible for air supply and smoke movement;
Bowl for tobacco at the end of the metal stem;
Flexible hose with a mouthpiece – for inhaling the smoke.
To be able to fully enjoy the wonderful aroma of the hookah, you need to know how to use it and how to properly light it.