Bongs, irrespective of which ever material is in use for manufacturing it, are part of every smoker’s arsenal. Bongs and water pipes in some form or another are in use since centuries. These days it is indeed hard to find someone who at least doesn’t know the purpose of a bong. For many tobacco and herb smokers worldwide, they are unavoidable smoking implements.

The actual origin of the bong is debatable. Earliest dry herb use is associates to Central Asia. So, it has always been assumed that the bong was invented in Asia. The first written records of bong usage come from Central Asia in the 16th century. The general assumption is that the word bong comes from the Thai word, buang, which specifically referred to the bamboo bongs that were common in Central Asia. Many believe it emerged from Asia as it closely resembles the renowned “hookah” pipe. However, recent excavations in Russia found gold bongs used by Scythian tribal chiefs. These bongs were found over a wooden burial chamber. The date on the whole site was put at 2,400 years ago, the earliest recorded use of water pipes.

Even though Asia is attributed with wide spread and common use of water pipes, there are evidences that long back; water smoking pipes were also in use in Africa. Discovered in some remote parts of Africa, there is heavy evidence to suggest they were using ‘earth pipes’ long before anyone else. They were made of clay and often built into the ground. Varying shapes of pipes were in use; many resembling bowls more than bongs. Bongs were also in use in 16th century China. They were so popular that different types of bongs were in use for different classes. A homemade bamboo one for country folk, a bronze version for merchants and city dwellers, and jewel-decorated silver ones for nobles.

Bongs, in one form or another have been around for centuries and it would be too unfair to credit only one culture with the invention. Bamboo was popular across Asia, while Jamaicans used coconuts and metal water pipes were in use in China. In the market today it is actually quite interesting to find different kinds of bongs that you can get hold of. Being glass bongs the most common type. Bob Snodgras, whose glassblowing work is still in galleries, gave shape to glass bongs across the country while following a Grateful Dead tour. With the growth of glass water pipes we have seen new designs incorporated into them as they gradually reach a wider audience. Overall, it has taken thousands of years and lots of strange modifications to come to the bongs that we love and experience today!