Hookah History
Hookah was originated in India and was called Nargile. If translated to English, Nargile means coconut. That is exactly what hookah was made from - coconut shells. The Nargiles were simple, primitive, and rugged in design.
Nargile’s popularity spread to Iran and then the Arab world and Turkey. However, it was in Turkey - in around 16th century - that hookah was developed and advanced close to what it looks like today. This was mainly for the fact that the Hookah was more popular among the upper class and the rugged design had to change.
Hookah started it’s main popularity in Turkey coffee shops. A hookah bar waiter was treated as a chef as it’s preparation was complex and had to be done carefully.
Hookah culture then migrated to other Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate, Morocco, and others. It was know as different names in different countries:
- Saudi Arabia ———— Hubble Bubble
- Egypt & Morocco ———— Shisha
- Lebanon & Syria ———— Argile
- Iran ———— Ghelyoon
Hookah is now a very popular smoking device used all around the world.
