“Sim-sim open” is an expression from the category of spells, to which people have attached a magical meaning since ancient times. By pronouncing them, they directly addressed the object of magical influence in the form of an imperative. These could be demands, orders, requests, prayers, inducements, prohibitions, threats, warnings. The use of "sim-sim" is especially well-known as a command used in a fairy tale.
Key to treasure
The plot of the fairy tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" is built around the riches that were locked in a cave. In order to penetrate it, it was necessary to cast a spell: "Sim-sim open!". Without it, access to the treasures was impossible. To hide the cave, you had to say: "Sim-sim, shut up!".
In this form, the specified spell is present in the translation of "A Thousand and One Nights" by Mikhail Alexandrovich Salier. It was an outstanding work, which is the only complete translation of this monument of Arabic culture, carried out withoriginal into Russian. The first volume of fairy tales was published by the Academy publishing house in 1929, and the eighth and last one was published in 1939.
As for the interpretation of "sim-sim", this is an Arabic word that means nothing more than a sesame plant. There is a version that the author of an oriental tale used the association of the sound of an opening cave with the crackling of a box of sesame seeds bursting with ripeness.
To understand the meaning of "sim-sim", you should refer to another spelling of the studied lexeme.
French version
It should be noted that in the French version of the fairy tale, the spell in question sounds somewhat different - "Sesame, open!". But the meanings of "sim-sim" and "sesame" are completely the same. The second word is the common name for sesame in Western European languages. In accordance with the plot of the fairy tale, Ali Baba's brother, having sunk into the cave, cannot get out of it, he confuses sesame with the names of the seeds of other plants.
The author of this translation is Antoine Gallant. He was a French orientalist, antiquarian, and translator of the 17th and 18th centuries. He became famous for being the first in Europe to translate the book "A Thousand and One Nights". His life was closely connected with the East. He served as personal secretary and librarian to the Marquis Nuantel, who was appointed French ambassador to Istanbul at the court of Mehmet IV. He visited many eastern countries, studied Arabic, Turkish, Persian.
On his return he became an antiquarian for King Louis XIV. Until the very end of his life, among other things, he was engaged in translationsoriental tales. The first edition of the Thousand and One Nights, published in 1704, was a great success. For a long time, Galland's translation was taken as a model. During the 18th century, it became widespread in most of Europe, was recognized in the East and became the material for many imitations and parodies. It should be noted that Gallan's version is the most famous version of Ali Baba and the robbers.
Continuing the consideration of the meaning of "sim-sim", it is worth mentioning the sesame plant, with which the word under study is directly related.
Sesame is linked to we alth
The seeds of this plant have been known since ancient times. They are mentioned in the writings of Avicenna, a medieval Persian scientist, philosopher and physician (10th-11th centuries). Spices were of great importance in both cooking and medicine.
Boxes in which the seeds of this oilseed ripen, having reached the condition, open, making a characteristic crack. According to the author of the tale, the door leading to the cherished dungeon with countless riches accumulated by robbers over the years was torn off with a similar sound.
Sesamun indicum, or Indian sesame, is the scientific name of the plant. Therefore, the robbers cast the spell: “Sesame, open (or close).” This option is used in French (as mentioned above), as well as in German, English translations.
In the East, such a name for sesame was used as “sim-sim”. It is in the countries located there that the described cultureenjoyed great popularity. Its beneficial properties were first discovered by ancient oriental scientists. Therefore, according to the researchers, the choice of this "magic" plant as a "key" to we alth was not accidental. They note that a similar motive for using the magic words "Sim-sim, open!", Which gives access to the inside of the mountain, is common among many peoples.
Early feudal state
In conclusion, one more meaning of "sim-sim" needs to be said.
On the territory of Chechnya in the 14-15 centuries there was a state formation or a historical region called Simsir (in the region of Ichkeria). Its other name is Simsim. It is mentioned in two sources. One of them dates back to the beginning and the other to the middle of the 15th century.
Records are related to Tamerlane's campaign against the Golden Horde, carried out at the end of the 14th century. Some of the modern researchers believe that Simsim (Simsir) is an early feudal pan-Chechen state. They draw an analogy of the name of this state (possibly a principality) with a settlement located in Chechnya - Simsir.
