Hookah

Hookah, also called shisha, waterpipe, or nargile, is a smoking device used for inhaling flavoured tobacco smoke through water and a hose.

Hookah, also called shisha, waterpipe, or nargile, is a smoking device used for inhaling flavoured tobacco smoke through water and a hose. It has historical roots in India, Persia, and the Middle East, and is also associated with social and hospitality traditions. In modern use, hookah is both a cultural practice and a commercial leisure activity, especially in lounges and cafes.

History

Historical accounts in the provided sources place hookah’s origins in 16th-century India and Persia, with early devices made from simple materials such as coconut shells and wooden or bamboo tubes. The practice later spread through the Ottoman Empire and into broader Middle Eastern and North African social life.

Cultural significance

Hookah has long been linked to hospitality, conversation, and group ritual. In many communities, sharing a hookah is presented as a social custom rather than only a method of tobacco consumption.

How it works

A hookah typically uses a bowl of flavoured tobacco heated by charcoal. The smoke passes through water in a base before being inhaled through a hose.

Modern use

Today, hookah is found in homes, cafes, and lounges in many countries. It is marketed and used as both a leisure activity and a cultural experience.