If you are a hemp lover, you surely have heard about bongs, if not smoked from them. Indeed, a bong has been a favorite device among Cannabis enthusiasts for centuries.
Everyone who likes to smoke some herb has been curious about the bong, its long history, and its usage. However, one particular question arises – why is it called a bong?
Therefore, if you are about to purchase a new bong or want to know more about these awesome herb instruments, you are at the right place. Let’s get started!
Why Is It Called a Bong?
Numerous people continue to use their bongs and still don’t know where the word originates and how rich is the past of this smoking device. The only thing known is that the bong is used to smoke the flower.
The bong has many characteristics, and various distinctive creations have appeared throughout history. It can be made from various materials, can have different shapes, and it’s one of the easiest devices used for smoking. Plus, it has a long lifetime.
The name bong originates from the Thai language. This term is an adaptation from the original Thai word ‘baung’ (บ้อง, [bɔ̂ŋ]).
The word ‘baung’ means a cylinder or pipe made from wood, most often bamboo; its primary purpose is smoking.
These wooden bamboo bongs were used in Central Asia around the 16th century. Although not quite sure, I may say that water bongs were introduced during the Ming Dynasty in China.
Besides these historical details, I discovered more about the astounding smoking devices, and it seems not only Asians were fond of bamboo cylinders used for smoking pots.
Bongs have been present almost everywhere across the planet, and even though their name originates from Asia, many other cultures have been utilizing them up to the present day.
History Overview of the Bong
Russian stoners
Recently, an archaeological study found bongs old, around 2400 years old, which belonged to Nomadic horse riders from the territory of Russia, who seem to have smoked their herb from golden bongs.
People from the Scythian Empire loved their golden bongs so much that many were buried with them. The herb played a major role and had a grand purpose in the Scythian Empire.
Still, I can never know for sure whether the Scythian people were those who invented and spread the usage of the bong. However, I can confirm that for these ancient folks, Cannabis had magical powers and was used for chasing away evil spirits.
Ancient African bongs
Ethiopian ceramic bongs
Maybe some of the most ancient bongs were discovered in Ethiopia, near lake Tana. These bongs are ceramic spheres, which, when found, had traces of Cannabis. These devices dated between 1100 and 1400 AD. Pretty old, right?
Nonetheless, I can’t be sure what these African people called ceramic pieces made for smoking. Thus, this fascinating discovery can’t give me another answer to the question – why is it called a bong? But it’s interesting trivia that can enrich the knowledge about bongs and their past.
Accordingly, I must stick to the widely acclaimed Thai word ‘baung’ until some discoveries are made.
The Kenyan Tribe Bong’om
Another popular archeological find by Mary Leaky in 1945, closely connected to the name and history of bongs, happened in Kenya.
In particular, the bong found in Kenya is a construction made from a bowl with a water filter and a mouthpiece. This device was used for smoking Cannabis.
Now, this is where the story gets more impressive. In that area in Kenya, where the archeologist discovered this construction, lives an African tribe called Bong’om.
Their language is also called Bong’om, and they even have a mountain named Bong. Actually, the whole area is called Bong. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Modern glass bongs
Now is the time to reveal how and when these diverse types of bongs came into Western society and evolved into the glass bongs we know today.
Most probably, at least that’s what historical data indicates, the bongs became immensely prevalent in America and Europe during the hippy movement in the 60s.
Hippies were interested in Eastern civilizations and their philosophy, smoking, and ritualistic habits. They imported bongs into Western society when traveling to Asia in their hippie vans.
These smoking devices have become widely utilized when smoking weed and celebrating free love and peace.
The inventor of modern glass bongs
Believe it or not, Bob Snodgrass is today celebrated as the inventor of the modern glass bongs as we know them. This man, during the 70s, was touring with the famous hippie band Grateful Dead and during that same tour, he spent his time teaching everyone about glassblowing.
His craft helped people to learn how to make a glass bong, or in other words, a glass vase with chillum. These devices have been produced ever since.
Bob Snodgrass has made a big deal out of making bongs. He not only wanted to make and teach about creating these smoking devices but also took the craft to a new artistic level. He also practiced “fuming” – using gold and silver to color borosilicate glass.
Therefore, today’s bongs are a piece of art, thanks to Bob Snodgrass, and everyone who wants to have a bong in their smoking collection can choose a unique one that will suit their taste.
Conclusion
So, why is it called a bong? Even though I can’t define where the bong was first born, I can certainly reveal why it is called bong and which first cultures and nations used this gorgeous Cannabis device.
After reading this short history of the bong, I’m sure you now have enough insight about bongs. In the end, it isn’t important who used the bong first. What’s crucial is that you can find a bong almost everywhere today, and you can freely purchase a nice piece.
So, if someone asks you about the bong’s name during your smoking session, you can quickly surprise them with an answer.
