3-021-442 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The British Expedition to Abyssinia: Shohos bringing in grass to the Commissariat, Undel Wells, 1868. The British Army in Ethiopia needed forage for their pack animals which included Indian elephants. ' Undel Wells...is the second station in the Koomaylee Pass...The Commissariat officers on the road are very particular in their endeavours to keep the Shohos at this work of bringing in grass, because it saves the carriage of forage from Zulla for the pack animals. The result is, that at every station a great number of them work willingly at this useful task of supplying stores. The price given is about a dollar for 100lb., and a ration of rice is given them...A space is inclosed with a low stone wall, and into this the grass is brought and inspected to see that it is the proper kind and in sufficient quantity. When a hundredweight is produced a dollar is given, and a written bit of paper for the rice...the female Shoho...carries the heaviest loads. Her costume is formed of one piece of leather which covers the body from the bosom to the knees. This skin is generally ornamented with a few cowries. The middle portion of the head is either shaved or very closely cut, and a fringe of hair is left before and behind. These are plaited...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.