The Kunama are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Eritrea, making up only 2 percent of the population. Most of the estimated 100,000 Kunama live in the remote and isolated area between the Gash and Setit Rivers near the border of Ethiopia.

1. EritrEa
~Kunama

2. Africa’s Place in the World
Kunama

3. Eritrea Map
We have nine tribe in this
country ~
1.Tigriniya
2.Tigre
3.Kunama
4.Saho
5.Afar
6.Rashaida
7.Bilen
8.Beniamir
9.Nara

4. Important festivals in the Kunama Culture
Tuka - Satta (Celebrated
once in 8 years) - special
hair style for this occasion
Galli-Galla ~ (Annual cultural Festival)
Kundura (Annual cultural celebration) – engagement ceremony

5. Special food in the Kunama Culture
Shingila Fa -use the leaves and
Ashofa
sorgam leaves to make flour. Shingila
leaves are rich in Vitamin A
- use the leaves of this tree to prepare soup)
Goda ~(Tree fruit) the tribe use this seed in the drought.
This does not need much water.

6. Unique in the Kunama Culture
Kelete - match
makers – 2 in number
will be selected by the
family and they have
to be respected by all.
They help with all the
wedding preparation.
Anfura-ila (the cultural
event of adulthood - boys).
The boys ages 14-16 are
taken to a far away place
to a river, give them a bath
and tonsure the head.
Then they expect the boys
to hold the special grassbibisena and if they do not
hold them(not virgin)they
are whipped with a rope
made of jute

7. Unique in the Kunama Culture
Sanga-nene (a group that
solves problems of life
peacefully) – like the court
system here. Open for all
religious group. It is cultural
group. This is a highly revered
and respected group.

8. Traditional clothing in my country
Ballada (a cloth wear
by men during cultural
dance)
Adalkana
(a dress worn by women)
Matalita
(men’s outfit)
Adalkana
(a dress worn by women)

9. Hairstyles in Kunama culture
Uda ana
(hair styles for everyday)

10. Hairstyles in Kunama culture
Sakida ana
(hair styles for men
everyday)

11. Handicraft work in the Kunama culture
Women working
palm tree leaves
to weave baskets,
bags, travelling
bags, hats,
sleeping mats,
ropes, lids for
utensils and
many other
things

12. Collaborative Work
Men, women and
children in the
Kunama culture
work collaboratively
and collectively
helping each other
in the community

13. Handicraft work in the Kunama culture

14. Styles of Home building
4 groups of
people each
have their own
style
Groups in
Kunama are:
1.Gumma
2.Serrma
3.Shuwa
4.Karwa

15. People carrying loads
The people of
Kunama carry
loads in the basket
on their shoulders

16. Ancestors in the Kunama Culture
Herds men:
Rearing cows, goats and sheep.
The herdsmen is in the center
to control the animals from
fighting

17. Ancestors in the Kunama Culture
Andinna ~ will get the
power of tongues and
will be able to speak
Arabic and Tigre
languages. The
celebration is done in
group with the leader.

18. Folk Dance in the Kunama Culture
Kubula ~ men and women dance
together during festivals,
celebrations, weddings, when aged
man dies – celebrate his good
life on earth

19. Alphabets in the Kunama tribe:
a – ah
b- ba
c -cha
d – da
e –eh
f - fa
g – ga
h- ha
i - ee
j - ja
k – ka
l - la
ly – lya
m –ma
n – na
n –nga
ny - nya
o -o
q –kua
r –ra
s –sa
s -sha
t -tha
u –oo
w – wa
y - ya

20. References
1.Kunama Cultural book – Furda
2.Google images – kunama culture
3.Interviewed Endrias

21. THE END
Contact Information:
Poornima D'Souza
School Home Liaison
Poornima.Dsouza@k12.sd.us
http://elldiversity.wikispaces.com
Phone: (605) 367 4580