Midwakh
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A midwakh is a small pipe of Arabian origin, in which "dokha", an Iranian tobacco mixed with leaves, bark and herbs, is smoked.
These are primarily found in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and are quite popular, especially in Riyadh, Dammam, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The pipe's shaft comes in various designs, and the bowl in various sizes, usually just large enough to take a little tobacco. It is usually loaded by dipping the bowl into a container full of dokha, which when smoked 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 and Saudi Arabia, where it was traditionally smoked by sailors. The late Sheikh Zayed was also known to smoke midwakh.
[edit] Construction
The pipe may be crafted to resemble a dromedary, a highly revered animal in the UAE; the opening of the bowl is the mouth of the camel, and a small hole is connected to a metal shaft inside the body of the pipe to conduct the smoke into the smoker. Most midwakhs crafted today have a mouthpiece sized to fit a filter as an attempt to lower the amount of potentially hazardous substances entering the lungs.
[edit] Advantages
Smoking midwakh is believed to be healthier than smoking cigarettes[citation needed] as it does not require paper and permits servings of as little as 100 mg. of dokha (compared with 700 mg.), burning at a much more moderate temperature. Midwakh has risen in popularity, specially among the younger generation, as it is neither bulky nor fragile, cheaper than cigarettes, satisfies the nicotine craving, is not disturbing for the smoker's entourage, almost eliminates the danger of side-stream smoke, and unlike western-style tobacco the smell caused by smoking dokha does not stick to clothing or skin. Since the UAE passed smoking restrictions in September, 2007, many youngsters are said to prefer the midwakh as a means of concealing their smoking.[citation needed]
[edit] Purchasing
The midwakhs' prices vary from 10 UAE Dirhams to over 1000Dhs depending on craftsmanship and materials used (may bemade of wood, glass, ivory, silver, gold , deer horn, and more rarely platinum). The price of dokha also varies from 5Dhs to 500Dhs for 30 grams, with the quality, taste and strength all varying.
