The Tobacconist

The tattanchi was the person who specialized in selling and preparing tobacco (tuttun) and crafting hand-rolled cigarettes and hookah (argilah) blends, in addition to preparing ground tobacco for pipes or regular smoking. This profession was common in old Baghdad, especially in traditional cafés and marketplaces, where the tattanchi would prepare various types of tobacco and display them in wooden or glass containers arranged in an attractive way to catch the eyes of customers.

The word “tattun” refers to dried tobacco leaves and comes from the Turkish word “tütün”, which also means tobacco. The tattanchi was known for his high skill in blending tobacco with natural flavors and scents, making him stand out among his peers and drawing customers in search of a unique taste.

This profession still exists today, though in a different form flavored tobaccos (mu‘assal) and cigarettes are now sold in modern tobacco and shisha shops. Yet, the memory of the tattanchi lives on in Baghdad’s folk heritage, recalling a time when the scent of tobacco was an artisanal blend and part of a cultural rhythm.