Bare-headed, the Shama girded in token of respect, he delivered the Imperial message of welcome, translated into Arabic by Samuel, who stood by him, and whose finely chiselled features and intellectual countenance at once proclaimed his superiority over the ignorant Abyssinian.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc
All the savings of years were brought to the chiefs; silver rings and chains-the dower and fortune of many a young maiden-were added to the newly spun Shama of the matron: all were reduced to poverty, and were trembling; though they smiled whilst making the sacrifice of all their worldly goods.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc
We declined at first to submit to the inspection, and only consented, in order to get rid of the fellow, to shake our chains under the Shama with which we were covered, as he passed from one to another.
"A Narrative of Captivity in Abyssinia With Some Account of the Late Emperor Theodore, His Country and People"
Henry Blanc