The hookah, in its basic form that originated in the northwestern provinces of India, was much different than the form we know today.  It began as a rugged, simple design made out of a coconut shell and was used primarily for smoking hashish and opium.  As the Hookah gained in popularity it traveled westward with traders to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Northern Africa and the Persian Empire.  In Persia it became popular to use the Hookah to smoke a dark tobacco called Tombeik, grown in present day Iran, by wetting it, packing it into the head and placing a hot coal on top of the head to give a strong flavor to the tobacco.  This is the precursor to the tobacco we smoke today.  

It was only when the Hookah finally arrived in Turkey, about 500 years ago, that it developed into the design that is popular still today.  The base began to be made out of blown glass and brass, paintings were added for decoration and the original holes were replaced by a single or multiple pipes.  It is also in Turkey that the use of Hookahs moved into bars and coffee houses.  An entire culture of Hookah etiquette developed.  As the Hookah continued on its journey each culture called it by its own name – in Syria it was argile, in Morocco it was shisha and in Saudi Arabia hubble bubble. Today, as then, Hookah bars, found throughout the world, are places to relax, socialize and share views on the topics of the day.