Ahwangy
Nabil Al-Kinani
Back home in Iraq, people would invite each other to their homes to socialise. But because we live in smaller spaces and face a variety of issues with respect to housing, it’s difficult to invite friends over in this country. Ahwangy creates a place that fills this gap. A typical shisha order will cost you £15 to £20 – you can smoke shisha at home for much less. But our customers spend their money with us for the experience of socialising with individuals from their home culture.
As a first-generation migrant, my yearning for home is reflected in Ahwangy. We’re frequently visited by an Arabic group of traditional singers – they come here every Sunday night, and perform songs that my father used to listen to. I’m not turning a profit when these songs are performed – neither am I turning a profit when we decorate the walls with traditional art and photography. But I do it for people who are looking for that cultural experience, and people who want to learn about and remember their historical origins.
All Images by Sana Badri. Courtesy of Pipe Dreams, Shubbak Festival 2021
