“Shisha” – term and etymology
The term “shisha” goes back on the Persian word shishe, which means “glass”. The Turkish word sise means “bottle”, and in several Arabic dialects it specially names the bowl of a hookah or the whole waterpipe. Another term for the waterpipe, that is used quite often, is “Nargile”. This word is deduced from the Persian expression nargile and means coconut. So it describes one of the materials, that the original, Indian waterpipe has been made of. Deduced from this term, there are also the words in Sanskrit (ancient Indian language) “narikela” and “argila” and “nargila” in certain Syrian and Hebrew dialects. Further used term are goza (Sudanese for “nut”), which is mainly used for small hookahs, as well as the word hookah, which is used in Great Britain and the USA for waterpipe.
Origin and development:
The waterpipe and the shisha- tobacco, the way we know them today, has not been invented overnight. The hookah has emerged within a long period of about 500 years as the smoking device with fruity flavor and light smoke, which is so popular today. Originally the hookah dates back to 16th century North of India, at a time when Indian glass manufacturing began as a result of the exporting of glass in India through the British East India Company. During this period, smoking tobacco also became popular amongst the noblemen in high society. In an attempt to purify smoke through water in a glass base called a “Shisha”, the Hookah was invented. Hookah soon cemented itself as a way for noblemen to show their high social status. In the 17th century, Hookah became a part of Persian culture where strong, dark leaf tobacco called Ajami was used. Hookah migrated into Turkish culture and during the 18th century. It was prominent in Turkish high society and was a true symbol of status. It was smoked after royal dinners and at diplomatic meetings.
The Hookah tradition spread into the Middle East throughout the 19th century. In Egypt, traditional forms of tobacco seen prior were reformulated into Mu’Assel by mixing honey or molasses with the tobacco. Mu’Assel translates directly as “with honey” but this term generally refers to flavored tobacco as even dried lemon, grape, watermelon, and mint were added. It was used as a way for people to relax, socialize and strengthen bonds with one another.
