History of Shisha: From Traditional Roots to Modern Innovations
- Daniel Szlivka
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
Smoking the rich flavor of shisha is more than a beloved pastime. It is a cultural staple that sets the stage for a shared community experience dating back centuries. The sound of gentle bubbling from water cooling the smoke, along with the aromatic swirl of flavored tobacco, reaches across generations and countries, from tiny family-run lounges to the opulent chambers of royalty.
To truly grasp the significance of shisha and its impact on society, it is helpful to understand the story of its origins. That insight provides references into shisha’s evolution into one of the most enjoyable and sleek experiences today - ranging from fully electric shisha sets to advanced electronic heat management systems (eHMS).
Origins of a Treasured Smoking Experience
The earliest known origins of shisha as a water pipe trace all the way back to the 15th century in India. Most historians credit Hakim Aboul-Fath Gilani as the first to invent cooling shisha smoke by using water.
Gilani was a Persian physician serving under the court of Emperor Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri. This was during the Mughal era. The idea was to use a coconut shell base with a bamboo stem to purify the smoke through water, thereby reducing its harshness and the perception of toxicity.
The idea of water purification for shisha tobacco quickly spread to Persia. During the following centuries, the coconut design evolved. More and more people wanted to enjoy this “cooler” smoking experience. As most inventions go, iteration became a social requirement.
It didn’t take long for the nobility in Persia to create aesthetic designs. Coconut shells were replaced with glass bases, and bamboo stems gave way to wild and ornate metalwork. It was common to assume the complexity and beauty of one’s hookah represented the cultural status of the device owner. Such intricate inlays are present in ancient Persian art and literature, including the commissioning of such pieces by some of the most renowned gathering places.
Expansion of Shisha During the 17th and 19th Centuries
What began in the Middle East and India spread like wildfire around other historical empires, including the Ottoman Empire. Here is where shisha, known locally as sise (meaning "glass container"), began to be used as a method of court negotiations and international diplomacy.
The Ottomans loved the use of a hookah. They started building devices using brass, silver, and other precious metals minerals available (and known) in the area. Artwork from this era features detailed engravings, stems with more pronounced curvature, and the introduction of devices such as those required for protocol when meeting travelers or potential partners to foster trade.
By the 19th century, shisha culture had become a phenomenon. Egyptian communities once again innovated on the idea of smoking through a hookah. The first was to develop Mu’assel, a sweetened and flavored tobacco based on molasses. That added richness and flavor to the experience, providing rest and relaxation for everyone from pharaohs to farmers.
The second Egyptian addition to the tradition of hookah was the introduction of purge valves. Social cafes sprang up now that there was a way to clear stale smoke from the base of the device. More men gathered for this unique enjoyment to discuss everything from daily politics to sharing poetry while unwinding.
Decline and 20th-Century Revival
Like most innovations, there is always pushback from those who do not like change. Even with the incredible cultural foothold shisha smoking created over centuries, shifting social values and the rise of cigarettes contributed to its fading as a regular pastime. For some, the use of shisha became synonymous with something more “old-fashioned” or “rural” instead of the cosmopolitan enjoyment of a cigarette.
Then came the 1970s through 1990s. The flavored mu’assel reentered society through companies utilizing bolder marketing, branding, and packaging. The resurgence of popularity began in cities such as Paris, London, and Beirut, all of which have set trends and are known for influencing Western culture.
Hookah lounges began appearing in urban centers and student hubs around the world, attracting a younger crowd with their relaxed atmosphere and social appeal. While some fringe groups experimented with alternative substances, the global rise of dedicated shisha cafés and the spotlight in international media helped establish flavored tobacco as the standard for modern hookah use.
Shisha soon became mainstream. Across cities from Europe to the Middle East to Asia, lounges started offering curated hookah menus, pairing sessions with teas, small plates, desserts, or live entertainment. The experience evolved from a cultural ritual into a contemporary lifestyle—blending tradition with trend and redefining how people around the world socialize and unwind.
Modern Technology & Electric Shisha in the 21st Century
Once college bars started using hookahs, the idea of shisha in culture solidified. Innovation quickly took hold again. People wanted to enjoy flavored tobacco while also reducing the risk of bacteria or health concerns.
Brass and glass materials gave way to modern materials, such as stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and silicone hoses. Such device changes added to the durability of hookah devices, ensuring the reuse of items for numerous café sessions. It also reduced the risk of bacteria growing on materials and made it much easier to wash and cleanse the hookah before its next use.
Of course, the most significant breakthrough was the development of the electric shisha systems a few years ago. Being able to use electric heating elements reduced the risk of combustion through traditional charcoal. The flavored tobacco and molasses-based mix suddenly becomes easier to control with predefined temperatures, removing toxic byproducts from the charcoal and smoke.
You can thank such innovations for reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The flavor using electric hookahs or electronic heating devices remains rich, generating clouds that are still thick, but the health risk is drastically reduced. That creates a more consistent flavoring and smoother inhale, all through charcoal-free shisha.
Cultural Significance & Future Trends
Shisha is not going anywhere anytime soon. The cultural essence of the long-held tradition has never really changed. Sitting together with friends and like-minded partners around a hookah while enjoying shisha symbolizes hospitality, conversation, and community.
It doesn’t matter if you’re at a court in Istanbul or a modern café in Seattle. Enjoying shisha brings people together. It helps slow things down, if only for a short while, so that ideas can be discussed, minds can rest at ease, and laughter can fill the smoky air.
Where does shisha go from here? The future is bright. More and more innovation using electric shisha devices is paving the way for greater adaptation and adoption. Modern companies are finding ways to honor tradition while prioritizing the health and convenience that most consumers require. Portability, sleeker design, and high-performance devices are likely to continue evolving, including the use of app-controlled heat settings and intricate designs.
History of Shisha - Tradition Meets Innovation: NOCCA and the Future of Shisha
Shisha is beautiful. It is a wonderful experience that has proven its worth time and time again throughout the annals of history. The eHMS designs of today do more than honor such traditions. They elevate a unique pastime and bring it into more and more community spaces through convenience and enhanced safety.
NOCCA is a perfect example of such innovations. Charcoal-free smoking and the use of advanced electronic devices ensure a rewarding shisha session, with far less risk. It's your answer to a smooth shisha afternoon, with consistent temperature control that means no ash or harmful charcoal side effects.
Isn’t it time you enjoyed a piece of history? Pre-order NOCCA today and see for yourself the modern innovation rooted in centuries-old tradition. It will be exciting to see how this century’s old device evolves again, and NOCCA will be there to ensure that all who want access will have it. Learn more about modern hookahs and browse all NOCCA has to offer.
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