HOOKAH : Passing the Ghaylan Through Time......... (Winter 08)

Arpine Hovasapian

Although the practice of smoking hookah has recently become more and more popular across the United States, especially in college towns, its origins date back thousands of years to the northwestern provinces of ancient India.

In its original form, the hookah was made with hollow coconut shells, a tube, and a head attached. The practice of smoking hookah quickly spread to Iran, Turkey, and the Arab world where it took on the names of shisha, nargila and arghile.

Presently, hookah can be commonly found in other countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Pakistan, and Armenia, while its practice has reached to areas such as South Africa, Europe, Canada, and the USA. Much as it did centuries ago, smoking around the world serves a social purpose where families and friends gather to socialize and talk about politics and local events.

The unique traditional and cultural aspects of smoking hookah vary from culture to culture. For example, in the Arab world, upon finishing smoking, the smoker will signify that he or she is done smoking by either placing the hose back on the table, or handing it over to the next person. So as not to insult the next person smoking, the smoker first folds the hose upon itself before passing. As a sign of respect and friendship, the receiver will sometimes tap on the hand of the giver.

In Iran, when smoking at home, some people will use their own personal mouthpiece made with wood or metal and decorated with valuable stones. In Israel, families gather around after a large meal and smoke together as a family bonding activity. In Turkey, craftsmen will often engrave elaborate designs onto hookahs. In Egypt, where it is colloquially referred to as "hubble bubble," shisha is widely popular among gatherings of men and women at local coffee shops.

In America, hookah smoking has gained immense popularity particularly among college students. Hookah bars are common in major cities around the U.S., especially where Middle Eastern immigrant communities are prevalent. Hookahs are increasingly becoming a part of the coffeehouse culture in various places around the globe.

While the jury is still out on the extent of the health risks of hookah, it is safe to say that its social benefits have been widely recognized by cultures and subcultures around the world.