GUMUS  , or Gumz, Negroes of the

Shangalla group of tribes, dwelling in the mountainous district of Fazogli on the Sudan-Abyssinian frontier . They live in independent groups, some being mountaineers while others are settled on the banks of the Blue Nile . Gumz in the native tongue signifies " people, and the sub-tribes have distinctive names . The Gumus are nature-worshippers, God and the sun being synonymous . On ceremonial occasions they carry parasols of honour (see SHANGALLA) . GUMUSH-KHANEH, the chief town of a sanjak of the same name in the Trebizond vilayet of Asiatic Turkey, situated on high ground, (4400 ft.) in the valley of the Kharshut Su, about m. to south of the Trebizond-Erzerum chaussee . The silver mines from which the place takes its name were noted in ancient times and are mentioned by Marco Polo . Pop. about 3000, chiefly Greeks, who are in the habit of emigrating to great distances to work in mines . They practically supply the whole lead- and silver-mining labour in Asiatic Turkey, and in consequence the Greek bishop of Gumush-Khaneh has under his jurisdiction all the communities engaged in this particular class of mines .