Midwakh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A midwakh is a small pipe of Arabian origin, in which "dokha" is smoked.
These are primarily found in the UAE and are quite popular, especially in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The pipe's shaft comes in various designs, and the bowl in various sizes (although the bowl is usually just large enough to take a little tobacco). The pipe is smoked by loading the bowl with the dokha (usually by dipping the bowl into a container full of dokha). The Iranian tobacco, which is mixed with leaves, bark and herbs, leaves the smoker in a light headed state for a short period of time (this is also known as a "buzz").
Midwakh is quite common in the UAE, where it was traditionally smoked by sailors. The late Sheikh Zayed was also known to smoke midwakh[1].
Smoking midwakh is believed to be healthier than smoking regular cigarettes as is does not have paper and each bowlful contains less than 0.5 grams of dokha (although not scientifically proven). Unlike regular cigarettes, the smell caused by smoking this tobacco does not stick to clothing or skin. Midwakh has now become main stream smoking paraphernalia, specially among the younger generation as it is less bulky, less fragile, cheaper than cigarettes, satisfies the nicotine craving quicker, is not as disturbing for the smoker's entourage and reduces the dangerous side-effects of second hand smoke. The dokha comes in many strengths, flavours and names. The strengths range from Cold (the mildest) to extra hot(the harshest). It can also be flavoured with strawberries, banana, apple, rasberries and a variety of other fruits. unlike flavoured shisha tobacco, flavoured dokha is not flavoured with molasses. If one seeks for a strong buzz, he must ask for laf raas (translated literally from arabic : head wrap) If one is going to try midwakh, it would be best to ask for the coldest possible as it may be harsh on the throat and cause the beginner to cough violently for as long as 5 minutes. the midwakhs' prices vary from 10 UAE DIRHAMS to over 1000DHS depending on craftsmanship and materials used (may be made of wood, glass, ivory, silver, gold and rarely platinum). The price of dokha also varies from 5Dhs to 50dhs for 30 grams, with the quality, taste and strength all varying. Most midwakhs crafted today have a mouth piece sized to fit a filter as an attempt to lower the amount of potentially hazardous substances from entering the lungs. The pipe is crafted to resemble a dromadary, a highly revered animal in the UAE; The opening of the bowl is the mouth of the camel, a small hole is connected to a metal shaft inside the body of the pipe to conduct the smoke into the smoker.
