The Story and Legacy of the Cigar
The pungent smell of a cigar — thick, earthy, and lingering — has long been associated with power, prestige, and a unique kind of solitude. Smoked slowly between thick fingers, a cigar seems to belong to another era. Growing up, I always thought cigars were something reserved for wealthy men over sixty. It was a rare sight: a distinguished gentleman seated comfortably, leaning back in a creaky chair, smoke curling into the air like a thought forming in silence.
Ancient Origins: The Birthplace of the Cigar
Though today cigars are considered a luxury item across the world, their origins are humble and ancient. It is widely believed that cigars originated in Mexico, where the Mayan civilization first rolled tobacco into crude cigars as early as the 6th century. The Mayans are said to have smoked them during spiritual rituals, a practice tied to their deep relationship with nature and the cosmos.
Later, the art of cigar-making reached the Caribbean. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, his party encountered the native Taino people of the Bahamas, who also smoked cigars made of dried tobacco leaves. This encounter brought cigars back to Europe, from where they spread rapidly across the globe.
The Rise of the Cigar in the 18th Century
By the 18th century, cigars had become popular across Europe and eventually the rest of the world. Their use evolved from indigenous rituals to social status symbols. In many places, cigars were a mark of affluence and culture, a habit of those who lived life at their own pace and had the means to do so.
In our own country too, cigars — or their local versions — were once a common sight. The “Apopan,” a traditional cigar rolled with locally grown tobacco, was quite popular up to 25 years ago, especially among elders who stood at village crossroads, puffing away in quiet reflection.
The Difference Between Cigarettes and Cigars
Modern cigarettes and traditional cigars differ in many ways. Cigarettes are filled with finely shredded tobacco and paper-wrapped for quick use and quicker consumption. Cigars, however, are a different art form altogether.
They are made from high-quality whole tobacco leaves. The process of making a cigar is lengthy: leaves are fermented, aged for up to a year or more, sorted, and carefully rolled. This dedication to quality is one reason cigars are considered luxurious.
Global Producers: The Countries Behind the Smoke
Many nations produce premium cigars — including the United States, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and even Burma. Each brings its own regional flavor and production techniques, but one country remains the undisputed king of the cigar world: Cuba.
Cuba’s soil, climate, and expertise make it the top producer of the finest cigars. Over the years, the country has built an unmatched reputation for cigar-making, backed by annual exhibitions, marketing campaigns, and historical significance. It’s no surprise that Cuba dominates the global market, both in terms of volume and value.
Cuban Icons and the Cigars They Smoked
No image is more emblematic of Cuban cigars than that of Fidel Castro. Often photographed with a cigar nestled between his fingers, Castro embodied the spirit of the Cuban cigar industry. His cigars were not merely props — they were part of his persona, as essential as his olive green uniform.
In a remarkable gesture, a Cuban businessman named Castiller once gifted Castro a 90-meter long cigar for his 90th birthday. This novelty cigar not only made headlines but also earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. It was a fitting tribute to a man whose life and leadership were as bold and smoky as the cigars he loved.
Argentina and the Revolutionary Cigar
In Argentina too, cigars hold a place of pride. Many Argentinians see cigar-smoking as a cultural statement. For some, it’s a connection to Che Guevara — the revolutionary icon who, like Castro, was rarely seen without a cigar. His image, complete with beret and thick smoke rising around his head, is a permanent part of revolutionary folklore.
Some even go as far as to say that cigars inspire revolution, or that smoking a cigar itself is a revolutionary act. It’s a symbol of resistance, of calm in chaos, and of ideas smoldering like the tobacco within.
Winston Churchill and the British Cigar Legacy
Of course, cigars have not been limited to Latin America. One of the most famous cigar smokers in history is Winston Churchill. The British Prime Minister during World War II was rarely seen without a cigar in hand. His love for cigars was so well known that one particular cigar he had smoked was auctioned for a staggering £4,500.
Churchill’s image, like that of Castro and Che, is permanently linked to cigars. It is as if the cigar gave these men not just something to hold, but something to think with — a companion during long hours of war, revolution, or reflection.
Freud, Basheer, and the Thoughtful Smoker
Even outside the realm of politics, cigars have been intellectual companions. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, famously smoked cigars constantly — reportedly up to 20 a day. It was a habit he kept despite health warnings and eventually led to cancer of the jaw. But to Freud, the cigar was a source of comfort and focus.
In our own cultural sphere, the beloved writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer also comes to mind. The image of Basheer, unkempt and thoughtful, cigar in hand, is iconic. His works — filled with realism, rebellion, and deep humanity — were perhaps dreamed into being in the smoke of a slow-burning cigar.
The Humble Malayali Grandfather
And then there is the ordinary man — the Malayali grandfather. Shirtless, spine arched forward slightly, legs apart, he stands confidently at the crossroads of a village. In his hand is not a fine Cuban cigar but a hand-rolled beedi or country cigar. Yet, in that moment, he is every bit as majestic as Castro, Che, or Churchill.
There is pride in that posture. There is history in that smoke. There is a whole life lived in the curl of that tobacco trail. Perhaps this is the essence of the cigar — not in its price tag or brand name, but in its ability to mark moments of silence, thought, and slow living in a fast world.
Conclusion: A Symbol Beyond Smoke
From the ancient Mayans to modern leaders, from revolutionaries to grandfathers, cigars have crossed continents and centuries. They have remained symbols of status, rebellion, relaxation, and identity.
Whether smoked in leather chairs in Havana, in war rooms in London, or on dusty porches in rural Kerala, cigars continue to carry stories. They may be wrapped in leaves, but inside, they burn with the fire of tradition, culture, and personality.
So the next time you catch the scent of a cigar, take a moment. There’s likely a story trailing in that smoke — one that stretches far back in time and far across the world.
