The Cultural Differences of the Tobacco Smoking

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Table of Contents

The Middle East and the Hookah
The Native American Traditions of Pipe Smoking
Canada and Tobacco
Middle Eastern Culture
Native American Culture
Canadian culture
Importance of Cultural Knowledge
References

Important cultural beliefs in history have significant links to tobacco use and the instrument used. Smoking can be ceremonial, social, or recreational. The Middle East culture is connected to the hookah, the Native American cultures use pipes, and the Canadian culture is linked to cigarettes. Each culture uses tobacco, but they each use a unique apparatus, and have different reasoning for the use thereof.

The Middle East and the Hookah

Traditional to Middle Eastern Culture, the hookah is a large water pipe that filters the tobacco using steam. The hookah is typically used in restaurant and café settings, as well as in homes. Smoking is a social event and is to be done with other people. Smoking a hookah is time consuming while being used for pleasure as well as a way to relax. Smoking is enjoyed and encouraged by all.

The hookah has been a long used smoking apparatus in the Middle East. The hookah is used as a social as well as cultural tool that is synonyms with hours of social smoking every day. In the Middle East it is typical to find hookah bars where people will sit, smoke, and discuss their day as a group. It is common to smoke during family gatherings or after large meals. The hookah encourages calmness and reflection; it is similar to the importance of the coffee shop or bar setting in the United States. The hookah is not meant to be a means just for smoking. Smoking is to be an enjoyable and relaxing experience. There is no hurry in smoking the hookah, the intent is pleasure and peace (Hookah, n.d.).

The hookah can be made with multiple protruding hoses so that people can share the device. Cultural and traditional ideals encourage the use of multiple hoses for gatherings and parties. In some settings, the hookah will have one hose that is placed on the table after a user is finished, and then the next user knows the hookah is available. Alternatively, the entire device can be handed to the next user. While being passed along, the hoses of the hookah are not to be pointed at others. To prevent the pointing of the hose, the hookah is to be passed in a manner that the hose is tucked inward. The Shah of Persia considered it an insult to have a hookah hose pointed at him, beginning the tradition (Hookah, 2012).

The use of the hookah is very important from a cultural standpoint. It was introduced in 1775, when William Hickey visited India. Hickey was presented with a hookah, but did not like the flavor. While not wanting to be offensive to the natives, he asked if it was necessary that he smoke. He was told that everyone smoked the hookah; it was an essential part of life to do so. The hookah was life, even held in higher regard than dinner at times. The hookah was not only traditional; it was a status symbol, a luxury of the wealthy. In addition to social standing, the hookah is meant to be a means of total relaxation for the body as well as the mind (Hookah, 2012).

In the past, the hookah was so accepted into Middle Eastern society that it was available to all age groups. Hookah use knows no discrimination; men, women, and children were equally likely to engage in hookah smoking. A typical hookah session lasts from thirty minutes to an hour, and at times can even last for two hours. During that peaceful period of time, smokers reflect upon their lives, engage in conversation, and play games. Smoking the hookah was considered a casual event. It was a symbol of status and fashion, encouraging elaborate esthetic appeal (Hookah History, 2012).

The Native American Traditions of Pipe Smoking

Whereas the hookah is a social and cultural apparatus in the Middle East, the pipe is a ritual and cultural apparatus to the Native American. The pipe is used by Native Americans as a part of their spiritual ceremonies. Each of their pipes is individualistic, and made for various causes. Each pipe is intended for a distinctive purpose. The varieties of pipe included the peace pipe, medicine pipe, and the war pipe; all pipes are ceremonial. The pipe is a symbol of spiritual matters and must be respected as such (Native American Peace Pipe, 2012).

Native American pipes are specifically made for the individual user. The ceremonial pipe is a personal extension of the owner. The pipe may contain personal carvings that represent the user. The pipe can also contain images or symbols of the user’s sprit guide, and give insight into the life they lead, while attempting to determine the path they are to follow through life (Native American Peace Pipe, 2012).

The Native American People use tobacco in a sacred manner. Among multiple reasons, tobacco was used as a bartering tool with the spirit worlds. When meetings, treaties, and discussions took place the Native Americans would always have ceremonial pipes in their possession. The Europeans coined the term peace pipe because of this (Native American Peace Pipe, 2012).

The peace pipe is to be used respectfully in sacred ceremonies that are taught by the elders. The ceremonies are sacred spiritual rituals that are intended to help a Native American find their intended path of life and to evoke a bond with Mother Earth and all of nature. The peace pipe could be considered as a portable alter that was used in conjunction with heartfelt prayer (Wolf, 2007).

The medicine pipe is used to heal and give spiritual protection. The tobacco itself was used for many years as medicine. The ceremony of the pipe is based upon a desire for continued protection. The belief is that smoking the medicine pipe is a spiritual communion of life, given through the shared breath of smoke to the heavens.

The way a ceremonial pipe is made can differ between tribes. There are various materials that can be used, including various colors and styles. Pipes represent the teachings of the individual or are based upon dreams or visions; they can also be created in relation to the owners spirit guide. Pipe colors are used to represent the philosophy of life. Black represents the unknown and personal fears. White represents Mother Earths white blanket. Yellow represents each day’s new sun. Red represents the road of life that leads to the spirit world (Boozhoo, n.d.).

The ceremonial pipe of the Native American people is sacred and spiritual, it represents good. There is a deep meaning in every ceremony performed. Tobacco is a sacred and respected. The desire of Native Americans is to be at one with nature and the spirit world. This is quite a contrast to the social associations of the Middle East.

Canada and Tobacco

In Canada, the use of cigarettes is a representation of cultural values. Tobacco use has an individualistic feel. Cigarettes are convenient, and meant to be used without ceremony. There are no rituals, special carvings, or designs. Smoking can take place in groups, but is not held in the same regard as the group gatherings in the Middle East. Smoking is Canada is a private and self-fulfilling practice (Canada, n.d.).

Early in Canadian history, the preferred tobacco apparatus was also the pipe. Tobacco was used as currency for the trade of furs and goods. Canadians were introduced to tobacco by the Europeans. Pipe smoking was the traditional form of tobacco smoking in Canada, followed by cigars, then cigarettes. Tobacco was intoxicating and had hallucinogenic properties; a unity between the natural world and the spirit world could be achieved through smoking. Tobacco was also used as a healing tool and as a gift to the spirits (Collishaw, 2009).

Tobacco in Canada was used in ceremonial ways, but was also used in more recreational ways too. Tobacco use was, and still is today, a part of everyday private life. Smoking was a common practice for men, but was not acceptable for women.

Early in Canadian history there were high costs for using tobacco. There were prohibitions against the use and possession of tobacco in public places. People began growing and using tobacco in their own homes to avoid the restrictions. Tobacco use was controversial; it was seen as immoral, unhealthy, and an unnecessary luxury. Taxes were used as an attempted deterrent that did not work in reducing the consumption of tobacco (Collishaw, 2009).

In the nineteenth and twentieth century, the use of cigars, chewing tobacco, and cigarettes became the norm. Women were socially prohibited from smoking. The predominately male smoking trend helped encourage inequality between men and women. Smoking areas were established where men could smoke alone, leaving women out of political and journalistic conversations. Men were not allowed to smoke within the sight women either; it was an improper practice to smoke in the sight of a woman. Smoking in Canada shaped gender roles and created class divisions. Smoking signified the success and refinement of male society (Collishaw, 2009).

Tobacco was controversial early on in Canada, and is to this day. Smoking is seen as a social trend that divides the people. Smoking in Canada is merely a pleasure and an individual right. The causal use of tobacco in Canada’s history is quite different compared to the religious views of Native Americans.

Middle Eastern Culture

Middle Eastern culture today is filled with turmoil. There is a power struggle from nation to nation, but within each Middle East country there are groups of people who stick together and work together to support what they consider their own. One could see the need for gathering together to relax and bond with family and friends. There must be a time for relaxation in order to survive in the midst of violent outbursts and political unrest. There is much tension that can be relieved within groups of trusted individuals (Global Trends 2010, 1997).

Native American Culture

Today, many Native Americans try to maintain their traditional language and cultural beliefs. There are still many struggles due to discrimination and prejudices. Native Americans struggle to overcome poverty and substandard educational opportunities. Many Native American tribes to this day remain secluded from mainstream America. They still maintain a strong faith toward their personal and traditional beliefs. Native Americans are still a peaceful people, looking for the best way to preserve what Mother Earth has given them (Cohen, 2008).

Canadian culture

Canadian culture has an interdependence and egalitarianism view. Today in Canada, there are no clear class divisions. Everyone tends to work together for the common goal. People care for each other, eliminating the need for divisions. The typical Canadian view is of accepting uncertainty, and allowing for freedom of expression and encouraging tolerance. The cultural tendencies within Canada support the unique use of tobacco; there is a more causal outlook put upon tobacco use, rather than a spiritual or social view (Canada, n.d.).

Culture shapes a nation as well as the individual within that nation. Everyone comes from a culture that has distinct traditions and beliefs. Traditions teach people how to live in society, and how to get along with each other. Traditions add value to life and respect for others. It is important to know what cultural differences there are in the world in order to understand that people are different. Differences are not bad. The human character is based upon values, traditions, beliefs, and cultural trends. To understand a nation is to understand a people, as well as the individual.

Importance of Cultural Knowledge

One way to see cultural differences is through the items a culture uses. The associations to tobacco use and the apparatus’ used with it can give some insight into those cultural differences. Smoking can be used as a ceremonial practice, a social right or pleasure, or for recreational use. Even though the Middle Eastern culture uses the hookah, the Native American culture uses pipes, and the Canadian culture uses pipes and cigarettes for tobacco their use; in all instances, they have significant and distinct meaning.

References

Boozhoo, SiYo, Hau koda. (n.d.). Web.

Canada. (n.d.). Web.

Cohen, S. D. (2008). Native Americans Today. Web.

Collishaw, N. (2009). History of tobacco control in Canada. Web.

Global Trends 2010. (1997). Web.

Hookah. (2012). Web.

Hookah. (n.d.). Web.

Hookah History. (2012). Web.

Native American Peace Pipe. (2012). Web.

Wolf, S. (2007). The Peace Pipe Ceremony. Web.

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