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Arguily History
 One of
the oldest and deep rooted traditions in Turkey is the Arguily (or Hookah,
Huka, Kooka, Nargile), with both men and women finding great pleasure in
smoking the waterpipe. The Arguily started a whole new culture which
endured for many, many years. Even today the Arguily gives enjoyment to a
special breed of smokers.
The original Arguily came from India, but it was rather primitive as it was
made out of coconut shell. Its popularity spread to Iran and then to the rest of
the Arab world, especially Lebanon and Syria and became a fashion among the young generations.
But it was in Turkey that the Arguily completed its revolution, and
did not change its style for the last few hundred years.
The Arguily became a very
important part of the coffee shop culture. The joy that the smokers received
from this very simple yet beautiful smoking
apparatus was unbelievable.
The Arguily itself consists of
4 pieces which are as follows: Hose , bowl (or head) , stem (the tube or shaft) and the vase.
All pieces of the pipe
were produced by special craftsmen, who
were named after the piece they
produced.
Today, countries like China and czechoslovakia are producing state of the arts Arguilys which include a fancy carrying box and multicoulored
vases and hoses and different stem. Many arab countries are producing it in the masses and exproting it to USA, Canada and Europe.
The secret of enjoying an Arguily/hookah is your choice of Flavoured Tobacco
(Shisha or moassal). Choices of shisha flovour is becoming more and more
complicated. Manufacturers have produced tobacco from every natural fruit. Most
people are sticking to double-apple and they are not inclined to try something
else. It is like smoking, once you get hooked to a cigarette brand you never
change it. Some makes a change when they are out of stock. The choice of flavour
is numerous. I will list what I have come across but not neccessarily
tried.
Double-apple, apple, lemon, pineapple, apricot, roses, peach,
cappuccino, grape, coconut, cola, sweet melon, mixed fruit, mango, honey,
cherry, jasmine, caramel, pistachio, coffee, mandarin, orange, mint, vanilla,
rasberry, strawberry, honey dew, margarita, pina colada, chocolate mint,
liquorice and plum.
Not one single manufacturer make all these flavours.
Nakhleh Tobacco which is considered the leading and oldest producer (1913) and
distributor of Flavoured Tobacco has the largest variety. Other notable brands
are: Layalina, Al-Waha, Pharaoh, Al-Fakher, Al-Baz, Al-Basha, Al-Ouns, and
Abd-ElKader.
When you smoke an arguily, you have time to think and reflect. It teaches you
patience and tolerance. It gives you an appreciation of a good company and good
focus. Arguily smokers have a much more balanced approach to life than cigarette
smokers do. The smoke is much cooler than cigarette smoke, and lightly
intoxicating.
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