TBWThe Kunama are a small ethnic group that makes up 4% of the population of Eritrea, with a population of around 260,000 people.

• Historically, there has been a lot of conflict between the Kunama and Tigrinya people in Eritrea.  Perhaps because of this, during the Eritrean war of Independence, the Kunama were the only tribe to support Ethiopian rule.

• Formerly nomadic, the Kunama are currently farmers and pastoralists.  Their home region is known as the breadbasket of Eritrea.

• The Kunama are matriarchal, with a prominent role played by women. Culturally, a child is considered Kunama only if their mother is Kunama.