Sha'ma (Heb. Shama', "^"^, obedient; Sept. Sajii- fxa V. r. Eaii^ia^d), the first natned of two sons of Ho- than, who were valiant captains in the body-guard of David (1 Chron. xi, 44). B.C. cir. 1020. See David.
Shamana, in Hindfi mythology, is the surname of the god of the underworld, signifving "the stream of hell."
Shamanism (a corruption of Sanscr. ^ramann) is the ancient religion of the Tartar, and of some of the other Asiatic tribes, and is one of the earliest phases of religious life. It is a belief in sorcery, and a propitia- tion of evil d.nemons bj' sacrifices and frantic gestures. The adherents of this religion acknowledge the exist- ence of a supreme Ciod, but do not tiffer him any wor- ship. Indeed, they worsliip gods of no description, hut only daimons, whom they suppose to be cruel, revengeful.
SHx\MANS
614
SHAMIR
and capricious, and who are worshipped by bloody sacri- fices and wild dances. The Shamanists have no regular priesthood. The priests, or magicians, are men or wom- en, married or single, and affect to understand the se- cret of controlling the actions of evil spirits. When they are officiating, they wear a- long robe of elk-skin, hung with small and large brass and iron bells. They also carrj' staves carved at the top into the shape of horses' heads, also hung with bells; and with the as- sistance of these staves they leap to an extraordinary height. They have neither altars nor idols, but per- form their sacrifices in a hut raised on an open space in a forest or on a hill. Nor are there fixed periods for the performance of their ceremonies ; births, marriages, sickness, uncommon calamities, etc., are generally the occasions which call for them. The animal to be sacri- ficed is generally fixed upon by the Shaman or donor, and is killed by tearing out its heart. The officiating magician or priest works himself into a frenzy, and pre- tends or supposes himself to be possessed of the dtemon to whom worship is being offered. After the rites are over, he communicates to those who consult him the information he has received. In Siberia the Shaman affected to cure dangerous diseases, hurts, etc., sucking the part of the body the most affected by pain; and finally taking out of his mouth a thorn, a bug, a stone, or some other object, which he shows as the cause of the complaint. Very many of its votaries have passed over to Lamaism, which is, in a measure, a kind of Sha- manism, but infused with Buddhistic doctrines. See Chambers's E7icydop. s.v.; Gardner, Fail lis of the \Vo)-ld, s. V.
Shamans, a HindA name given to pious persons among the worshippers of Buddha ; a term which passed over from them to the Tartars and inhabitants of Sibe- ria, and became the title of their priests, magicians, and physicians. Hence Shamanism is the name given to the religion of most of the tribes of Northern Asia, from Tartary to Kamtchatka. By means of enchantments they professed to be able to cure diseases, avert calami- ties, and acquaint people with the purposes, etc., of the daemons. By these arts they acquired a great asceu- deucj' over the people. See Shamanism.
Shamari'ah (2 Chron. xi, 19). See Shemariah.
Shambles (juokeXAov, from the Lat. macellum, a meat-market). IMarkets for the sale of meat appear to have been unknown in Juda;a previous to the Roman conquest. We learn from the Talmud that most of the public butchers under the Romans were Gentiles, and that the Jews were forbidden to deal with them be- cause they exposed the flesli of unclean beasts for sale. Hence Paul, dissuading the Corinthian converts from adopting Jewish scruples, says, " Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no questions for con- science' sake" (1 Cor. x, 25). See Alisgema.
Shame (usually Tljia, alaxvvri), a painful sensation, occasioned by the quick apprehension that reputation and character are in danger, or by the perception that they are lost. It may arise, says Dr. Cogan, from the immediate detection, or the fear of detection, in some- thing ignominious. It may also arise from native dif- fidence in young and ingenuous minds, when surprised into situations where they attract the especial attention of their superiors. The glow of shame indicates, in the first instance, that the mind is not totally abandoned ; in the last, it manifests a nice sense of honor and deli- cate feelings, united with inexperience and ignorance of the world.-^Buck, TheoL Diet. s. v. See Modesty.
Sha'med, or rather Shkmer (Heb. She'mer, "iplT, in "pause" Sha'mer, "IpTT, keeper [but some copies have T2',a] ; Sept. ^tfifii)p v. r. Sf^/;c a"<l 2a/(»jc ; Vulg. ,Samed), the third named of the three sons of Kl- paal, and builder of Ono and Lod. He was of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chron. viii, 12). B.C. post 1G18.
Shamel, in Hindu mythology, is the angel who bears the prayers of men to God.
Sha'mer (Heb. She'mer, ^'S^, "in pause" Sha'- mer, ip'^, keeper; Sept. ^sfifiijp v. r. 2wju?/p and 2t- jit'ip respectively), the name of several men. See also Shamed; Shemer.
1. The second named of four children of Heber (1 Chron. vii, 32), and father of Ahi and others (ver. 34). B.C. perhaps ante 1658. In the first of these passages he is called Shomer (q. v.).