Malabar Hookah: History and Craftmanship
For generations, an unassuming port town along the Malabar coast has nurtured an exquisite tradition, one that traverses the vast Arabian Sea to become a prized possession in the heart of the Middle East. Behold the Malabar Hookah, a unique masterpiece meticulously handcrafted by the skilled coppersmith community known as the Moosharies of Koyilandi. Their artistry combines brass or bronze with the allure of coconut shells, adorned with intricate silver inlays of Arabian motifs.
This craft is an exclusive treasure of Pandalayani, a port town with a documented history of maritime trade spanning over a millennium. It was here that Vasco Da Gama set foot on his historic voyage to India in 1498.
Our captivating smoking device is known by various names: Qalyan in Iran, Shisha in Turkey, Nargileh in Arabia, and 'Nargila' in Hebrew. It's fascinating to note that "Nargileh" and ‘Nargila’ are believed to derive from the Sanskrit word "Nalikera," meaning coconut, a nod to the use of coconut shells in Hookah water chambers.
The origins of the Hookah remain a topic of debate, with some speculating its birthplace in Iran or India during the early 17th century, possibly even in the court of Akbar. Over time, this craft found its way to Koyilandi, likely through the interactions of traders from Yemen. Even today, remnants of Yemeni communities reside in Koyilandi, some of whom were key exporters of Koyilandi Hookahs until recent times. These connections likely played a pivotal role in introducing Hookah craftsmanship to Koyilandi, even though smoking pipes were never a trend along the Malabar coast.
In many Middle Eastern nations, particularly Yemen, this craft held significant cultural value, cherished by both Muslims and Yemeni Jews, who referred to it as Mad’ah. When Yemeni Jews emigrated to Israel in the 1950s, they carried the legacy of Koyilandi Hookahs with them.
For centuries, the production of Koyilandi Hookahs thrived as a thriving industry, employing thousands of skilled artisans until the close of the 20th century. These Hookahs, valued in crores of rupees, were often voyagers across the ocean aboard Dhows and rarely graced the domestic market.
However, the advent of more affordable smoking pipes and growing competition in the mass market led to a decline in demand for Koyilandi Hookahs in Yemen. Factors such as conflicts in the Middle East, the global pandemic, and limited support further devastated the sector, compelling most Koyilandi craftsmen to halt production of this craft that had thrived for centuries.
Crafting a Malabar Hookah is an artful process that spans over a week to complete. It is a craft that is entirely handmade, showcasing intricate designs that demand masterful craftsmanship.
The process involves a range of raw materials, including wax, lac, tree resin, wood, coconut shells, various clay types, and metals like copper, zinc, and silver. The traditional Lost Wax casting method is employed.
Creating the cylindrical tube, housing the tobacco bowl, involves skillful fashioning of coconut tree wood, primarily using the shells of a local coconut variety known as the "Kuttiyadi Coconut."
The process includes crafting a wax and lac stencil slab, firmly attaching it to a wooden frame. The wax mold is immersed in a mixture of clay and cow dung to achieve a flawless surface. Molten metal is poured into the mold, carefully removed from the furnace to cool, and meticulously polished. Paper bitumen is employed to seal any openings, ensuring a leak-free Hookah.
Today, only around two dozen craftsmen possess the knowledge of this craft, with none actively producing it. We are dedicated to preserving this heritage by helping the last remaining manufacturers sell their Hookahs as a testament to this centuries-old tradition.
Embrace history and support the preservation of this remarkable craft. Consider owning a piece of this legacy today! Explore our collection of Malabar Hookahs, each a work of art celebrating centuries of craftsmanship.
