In the hookah (also called shisha, nargileh or kalian), adults smoke flavored tobacco from a hookah, through which they pull a hose and take a train with their family or friends. The focus is on discussions and the promotion of solidarity between the participants. The hookah is deeply rooted in a cultural tradition that has been cultivated for generations in Indian, Persian, Turkish, Egyptian and other Middle Eastern families. The gesture of the hookah is more than a fun social activity or a means of relaxation, it is a means by which families, relatives, friends and business partners in these cultures practice hospitality and strengthen relationships with each other.

The first hookah in the form we know today dates back to 16th century India, when Indian glassmaking began through the export of glass by the British East India Company. During this time, smoking tobacco also became popular among the nobles of high society. In an attempt to purify the smoke through water in a glass jar called “shisha,” the hookah was invented. These first versions of today’s classic design had a wooden shaft with a second shaft attached to the heart that was used to smoke. With this design, the hookah soon established itself as a means for nobles to show their high social status.