3-021-040 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Abyssinian arms and ornaments, 1868. '...decorations given by Sahela Selassie, King of Shoa, in Southern Abyssinia, to the late Major Douglas Graham...The first object is the military head-dress, or aghadama, worn by the most distinguished Amhara cavaliers. It is fastened by the upper strap across the forehead, while the long strap in the middle (shown looped up at one side) passes down the back of the wearer's head. [Also shown are]...gauntlets, bracelets, and frontlets, ear-rings, combs, hair-pins, a cross. The swords have scabbards of silver, hanging from leather belts. The aghadama or head ornament is only bestowed by the King on his bravest warriors. The silver gauntlet is the decoration given to the knights of the order named of the Silver Gauntlet. The armlet is another decoration given by the Sovereign. The swords are the reward of high deeds of valour; but the shield, of rhinoceros hide, is used by all the soldiers. The ear-rings and other ornaments are worn by the women; while the ornaments shaped like serpents, of horn or silver, are worn by the men in their hair, which is smeared with grease, and piled in fantastic forms on their heads'. Sahle Selassie of Shewa was the great grandfather of Haile Selassie, last Emperor of Ethiopia. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.