Now guess what that is??

http://www.youtube.com/user/TannousInnovations?feature=pyv&ad=4511266056&kw=shisha#p/u/2/swLXHk3WBOM

What am I looking for in a hookah?

 Many hookah shops carries small and compact hookahs, and even hand held hookah pipes for people who want to take shisha smoking experience with them.But for the more health conscious, did you know that a larger hookah renders less Carbon Monoxide and therefore a potentially safer smoke? At any rate, here's what you're generally looking for:


1. NO ALUMINUM! Some hookah shops have been selling 'modern' hookahs that have mostly- or all-aluminum parts. Although, not all 'modern style' hookahs have these parts, one should keep a good eye out Aluminum is not generally considered safe to smoke through, and build-up of aluminum in the body has been blamed for early onset of Alzheimer's's. A good hookah shaft is made of Stainless Steel.

2. Portability vs. Quality. Some aspects of the hookah can be customized for durability, but this often has an effect on the overall look and quality of your pipe. For instance, I recommend a glass base, it can be easily and safely cleaned, it's sturdy and keeps the hookah upright even when empty and it looks better over time, however, they are now making hookah bases out of Acrylic. What are the advantages of acrylic? It's practically unbreakable. What's the downside? It collects residue and is difficult to wash, the plastic can also trap nasty odors in your pipe and effect the flavor of your shisha.

3. How many are you serving? Do you party a lot? So you host a smoke session? Hookahs are available in as many as four hoses. Often times a two-hose hookah is a good buy for anyone, because if your friend wants to come over and join you in a session, you can offer them their own hose, and most two-hose hookahs can be converted easily back to one when smoking in private. Also, look to see if it has a check-valve. This could go by many different names, but the function is the same, it allows stale smoke to be exhaled from the chamber, but keeps it air-tight when inhaling, it also lets two people smoke the same hookah without the inconvenience of having to cover their hose between puffs.

4. Make sure it had rubber gaskets on everything to keep it air-tight. A hookah that won't hold a seal is useless.

So You'd Like to Buy a Hookah...

So, you've finally decided to buy into the latest smoking fad. Maybe a friend of yours has turned you onto it, or maybe you followed a good-looking college student into a hookah lounge, but somehow you've gotten hooked

 on the hookah, and now you're tired of going down to your local smoking establishment (if you even have one) and using their communal pipes... You've made up your mind, you need your own.

Where do I buy one?

First of all, you should always check your local tobacconist, they may be a bit more worldly than you would expect and often times have more than one style available... however, if the smoke shops in your area are all about cigars and pipes, have no fear. There are places all over the Internet where you can purchase your very own hookah. But some of these shops are a little shabby... here's what to check out when you're examining a hookah shop on-line:

1. Do they carry all the major brands of Shisha tobacco? Al Waha, Nakhla, Al Amir, Romman, all major brands, if your shop doesn't have them, they may not be a reputable dealer.

2. Do they have a wide selection? There are many types of hookahs: Mini, Rotating, Egyptian, Syrian.

3. Do they have a buyer's incentive program? Some on-line shops have 'points' that you can earn through your purchases, which can be redeemed for certain promotional offers or as credit towards your next buy.

4. Where's the 'Free' Stuff? Any good hookah shop is going to get you 'hooked up' when you buy. Most have a standard 'package' that comes along with any hookah you buy. At the very least it should have everything you need to get it fired up once: A hose, a bowl, some mouthpieces, and usually, some shisha.

History of Hookah

The Hookah was invented in India in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542 - 1605 CE)  Following the European introduction of tobacco to India, Hakim Abul Fateh Gilani who was a physician in the court of Mughal raised concerns after smoking tobacco became popular among Indian noblemen, and subsequently envisaged a system which allowed smoke to be passed through water in order to be 'purified'. Gilani invented the Hookah after Asad Beg, then ambassador of Bijapur, encouraged Akbar to take up smoking. Following popularity among noblemen, this new device for smoking soon became a status symbol for the Indian aristocracy and gentry.

Depending on locality, hookahs may be referred to by many names, often of Turkish origin. Narghilè but pronounced "Argilah" is the name most commonly used in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Syria and Israel. Narghile derives from the Persian word nārghile, meaning coconut, which in turn is from the Sanskrit word nārikela, suggesting that early hookahs were hewn from coconut shells.

In Albania, Bosnia, Croatia the hookah is called "Lula" or "Lulava" in Romani, meaning "pipe," the word "shishe" refers to the actual bottle piece.

Shisha, meaning glass, is the common term for the hookah in Egypt and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf (including Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia), and in Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Tunisia, Somalia and Yemen.

In Iran, hookah is called  "Ghelyoon". In Uzbekistan, hookah is called "Chillim". In India and Pakistan the name most similar to the English hookah is used: huqqa.

The hookah is widely smoked in all of the Lebanese regions. It has different names although most citizens will call it Argilee/Nargeelee or Shicha. Embeded in the Lebanese folklore and history, the hooka is smoked by both teens and adults, rich and poor. The preferred tobacco is two apples by itself or mixed with Mint or Raisin.

The Lebanese have perfected the taste of the tobacco by adding as much ice to the water or simply inserting its water jar in snow.

Etiquette is created for the argeelee among teenagers. I.E. One should never light a cigarette from the burning coal on top of the tobacco bowl. Always fold the hose before passing it to someone else. He who prepares it should always light it. If females are present a man should always light it for them. Never use a ceramic head for the tobacco (ceramic burns the tobacco faster unlike clay). The original tweezers should be kept as long as possible and no Chicha should be left alone unsmoked.

Double hose , triple hose or more are less popular and very rare because they burn the tobacco faster.

Families and friends gather around the Argilee and it's not a rare sight to see 10 Arageel for 10 people. They are smoked on street corners, cafes, balconies, parks, weddings and even in cars while driving.