For devotees of the hubbly bubbly, or water pipe, smoking “shisha” and “argeela” does not stop in the fasting month of Ramadan. Shisha lovers of both sexes begin their rounds of smoking at local cafes from Iftar time (when the fast is broken) until “suhoor” (when fasting begins). For this, shisha smoking has a different flavor in Ramadan.
Arab News met up with 76-year-old Ahmad Sulaiman, who has been in the business of shisha manufacturing for more than 55 years.
He said that there are two kinds of shisha: One with “jurak” (tobacco paste) and the other called “muasel” (flavored tobacco paste).
The fruity tobacco paste is made from finely minced tobacco mixed with molasses, black honey or glycerin. In Egypt the mix is called “ajami”.
“Jurak” is made of tobacco and decomposed fruits.
The shisha instruments themselves, the tools through which the tobacco is smoked, are mostly made in India and are different from those made in Arab countries. Indian-made shishas are made of wood with aluminum accents for a decorative touch. They come in a variety of shapes and designs, with prices ranging from between SR350 to SR5,000 for ones decorated with precious stones.
The hubbly bubbly is found all over the world, and is a common sight in many Arab homes and cafes. In Yemen, shishas are called “Al-Maddaa”, “Al-Rushba” or “Al-Buri”. In the Shami region (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine) they are called “Argeela”.
Furthermore there are different models of shishas, with some that can be used simultaneously by 30 smokers.
There are models for men and those for women, which come with all sorts of accessories. There is an especially extravagant shisha made of crystal from Belgium and Italy, with the edge of the hose engraved with precious stones. And of course there are shishas that are custom-made according to individual needs. Some customers even have their shishas engraved with the names of their favorite celebrities.
The first tribes to use the shisha were in India, and the ritual soon spread to other nations in Asia and Africa. Japan later on even invented a mobile version of the shisha, that can fold up for easy carrying.
