History Of Hookah
One of the oldest and deep rooted traditions (Over 500 Years Old) in Eastern Cultures is the Hookah, with both men and women finding great pleasure in smoking the Nargile. This started a whole new culture that has endured for centuries. Even today Hookah gives enjoyment to a special growing breed of smokers who have discovered this Ancient Art of Hookah.
The Hookah became a very important part of the coffee shop culture, finding its popularity in Turkey around the time of Murat the IV'th, 1623-40.The joy that the smokers received from this very simple yet beautiful smoking apparatus was unbelievable. Rules were created even for lighting the pipe, and if a professional smoker saw anyone lighting it the incorrect way, the culprit would be told in no uncertain term " Do yourself and the sacred Hookah a favor and put out the coals.
"The Ancient Hookah, called Nargile itself consists of 4 pieces: the Agizlik (mouthpiece), the Lüle (top of the nargile), the Marpuç (tube) and the Gövde (body of the pipe which is filled with water). All pieces produced by special craftsmen, who were named after the piece they produced. Even today, the areas where these craftsmen used to concentrate are called by these names, such as "Marpuççular."Lüles were generally produced in Tophane by Lule makers and the Govde's (bottles) were manufactured in Beykoz. These Govde's were a unique example of Turkish handcraft and were decorated with floral motifs and some crafted in silver or crystal. The Agizlik's (mouthpieces) were generally carved out of the top of quality amber, believing that amber was not the carrier of germs.