the kunama speak the kunama language. it belongs to the nilo-saharan family, and is closely related to the nara language. although some kunama still practice traditional beliefs, most have adopted christianity and islam. the fertile plains of the gash-setit, also known as the gash-barka, region where the kunama live are sometimes referred to as the "breadbasket of eritrea". formerly nomadic, today they are farmers and pastoralists. historically, the kunama have been dominated by other ethnic groups and they are often forced from their traditional lands. the official policy of the government of eritrea is that all land is state property and the government encourages large commercial farms. they are the only nilotic group whose traditional territory straddles two horner nations, ethiopia and eritrea.