THE STORY OF BOUNARA AND HOOKAH
​
WHERE DID HOOKAH COME FROM?
This is not as easy as it may seem. There are three theories about the origins of hookah, each of which claims a different location of where it started.
What we do know is that hookah is a practice that started somewhere in the Eastern world, and was originally designed for the nobility and aristocracy.
While we may never know where it started, we do know a few things for sure. The traditions and history of hookah are tied deeply into Indian and Middle Eastern culture. Less complicated water pipes have been around for thousands of years, and sometime around the 16th century, thanks to the availability of tobacco from the Portuguese, there was an advancement that led us to the hookah of today.
​
It is believed that hookah may have originated in the 16th century in India, during the Mughal rule of the Indian subcontinent. Throughout the 16th century, Portugal dominated trade with the Indian subcontinent, and regularly imported tobacco grown in Brazil to the Indian subcontinent.
From there, as the story goes, traders brought the tobacco from the port cities into the mainland. Tobacco began to grow in popularity, and eventually Emperor Akbar was given some tobacco by an ambassador.
Emperor Akbar’s chief physician was concerned about the emperor smoking tobacco unfiltered, as even then physicians knew that there were significant health risks associated with smoking tobacco. The chief physician, named Abu'l-Fath Gilani, posited that smoking the tobacco filtering the smoke through water would make it a safer option.
He then helped to create and commission a water pipe through which the tobacco would be smoked... the way it is known today.
HOOKAH AND THE BOUNARA
A Bounara is the name of the servant who serve the hookah to the customers at a hookah lounge, his only job is to replace the burned-out charcoal with a new red hot charcoal in order to keep the hookah at its peak smoking pleasure.
​
For hundreds of years, smoking a hookah has been a pastime and tradition. This tradition of smoking tobacco has made hookah smoking a common practice across India, the Middle East, and North Africa.
But many hookah smokers, especially in the Western world, have no knowledge of the history and culture behind the hookah.
Bounara Hookah believes that having an understanding and appreciation for the history of hookah will make a more pleasurable and authentic experience.
​
​
Traditionally, every gentleman of wealth had his own hookah Bounara. All the hookah Bounara's came in together with the dessert course, each carrying his gentleman's hookah and replace the burned-out charcoal and for about a half an hour, conversation subsides as smoking begins. In addition to accompanying his gentleman to all social engagements, the hookah Bounara would walk beside his gentleman's horse, should he wish to smoke while traveling or riding. This was the custom of the day. Bounara's served their gentleman with the utmost respect and cheer. Bounara's were know to be treated and compensated well.
​
​
​
Hookah was and still is today an important cultural tradition in the Middle East and India, where hookah stands as a symbol of trust and friendship.
Smoking hookah is a wonderful way to experience the cultures and traditions of the Middle East while enjoying time with friends and making connections with friends yet to come.
As hookah has grown and spread it has only become more and more inclusive, and we here at MOB Hookah think that is something to be celebrated.
We founded Bounara with a servants heart! We pride ourselves on providing a high-quality, reliable online store. Our passion for excellence has driven us from the beginning, and continues to drive us into the future. We know that every product counts, and strive to make the entire shopping experience as rewarding as possible.
​
Source: https://www.mobhookah.com/blogs/blogs/hookah-origin-culture-history
​
