Shawnees. See [ALGONQUIAN].
Shilluks. See [NILITIC GROUP].
Shoshonean. A group of North American Indian tribes, all belonging to the Shoshone or Snake family, formerly occupying Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, with neighbouring districts. They include the Shoshones or Snakes, Bannocks, Comanches, Utahs, and Mokis. With the exception of the warlike Comanches, they are a peaceful race, who have received the white invaders with friendship.
Shulis. See [NILITIC GROUP].
Siamese. Natives of Siam, belonging to the Indo-Chinese stock of the Southern Mongolic family. They are closely related to the [Shans] (q.v.). They are of medium height, olive complexion, with slightly flattened noses, prominent lips, and black hair. They are a peaceful and indolent race, who have recently shown promise of assimilating Western civilisation. Their blood is largely mixed with Chinese and Malay. Siam is still independent, forming a buffer state between British and French possessions.
Siberian. A stock of the Northern Mongolic family, including the [Chukchi], [Koryak], [Kamchadale], [Gilyak], and [Yukaghir] tribes (q.v.).
Sicani, Siculi. See [SICILIANS].
Sicilians. The primitive inhabitants of Sicily were the Sicani, probably a Hamitic race allied to the [Ligurians] (q.v.). They were followed by the Siculi, an Aryan race of Italic stock, who crossed from Italy about 1000 B.C. They were civilised and modified by Phœnician, and especially Greek settlers, with later Norman and Saracen influences. Of all these elements the modern Sicilians are compounded. They are a handsome, industrious, and amiable race, but turbulent, lawless, given to blood-feuds and brigandage.
Sienerehs. See [NIGERIAN GROUP].
Sikhs. A powerful and warlike race of Northern India, united by a common religious faith, dating from the eighteenth century, and mainly of [Jat] (q.v.) descent. Under Ranjit Singh, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, they reared a formidable military power in the Punjab, which was conquered by the British in 1846–1849. The Sikhs contribute many of the best and most trustworthy troops to the Indian Army.