The actual origin of the hookah pipe is controversial as many countries, including Egypt, India, Iran, Syria, and Turkey all claim to be the originating country of the hookah. In many places, the hookah is called nargile and is a Persian word for coconut. This is due to the hookah being made from coconut shells during its primitive years. Regardless, however, of where the hookah originated from, the fact is the hookah became popular and part of the culture of many countries.
In many Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, especially Turkey, the hookah pipe became an important ritual, of sorts. It was generally for enjoyment and there soon became a certain way to smoke from the hookah pipe, such as a particular way to pass the hose. In many countries, it became the norm for families to smoke the hookah pipe after a large meal and in the Arab society, it was common to smoke from a single hose. However, in many lounges, it is more common for a smoker to have their own individual hookah pipe.
The hookah also became a popular method in which an artist could display their skills of engraving beautiful designs. Many women of the 19th and 20th centuries enjoyed showing off their hookahs during their afternoon teas. However, with the availability of cigarettes, the popularity of the hookah declined.
