“Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.” – only those within a community can truly set their own identity.

THE ANTIQUITY OF BAZA PEOPLE

The (Baza) are an indigenous people that have been living  in the modern states of Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia for centuries. The Baza are believed to be among the first inhabitants of these areas and in the past had their own kingdom, known as the “Kingdom of Bazin” or “Baza Kingdom”. The antiquity of the Baza group is vividly illuminated by references from notable historical figures. A significant acknowledgment comes from the Arab philosopher and historian, Ahmad ibn Abu Ya’qub ibn Ja’far ibn Wahb Ibn Wadih al-Ya’qubi, better known as “Al Yaqubi”. His writings shed light on the “Kingdom of Bazin” or the Baza Kingdom, which he situates it in the early medieval era, around the year 300 AD. According to Al Yaqubi, the Baza Kingdom was a prominent entity in Northeast Africa, a major kingdom within the six Blemmyes, part of the Beja polities. This mention repositions the Baza from a relatively recent group to an ancient civilization with considerable influence and standing.

Further corroboration of the Baza’s historical significance comes from the inscriptions of King Ezana of Ethiopia. In these inscriptions, King Ezana refers to a group known as “Basa,” believed to be the Baza people. The reference to the Basa in Ezana’s inscriptions is a testament to their presence and relevance in the region’s historical and political landscape. King Ezana’s inscriptions provide not just a mere mention but a detailed account of his military campaigns against these people. He describes how the Basa, alongside other groups like the Noba (Nubia) and the Barya (Nara), were involved in regional conflicts, indicating their active participation in the political affairs of the time. Ezana’s campaigns against these groups were significant enough to be documented, suggesting the Basa’s considerable presence and importance in the region. This historical portrayal, as narrated by King Ezana, offers a glimpse into the dynamics of power, conflict, and politics in Northeast Africa during the early medieval period. The Baza, or Basa as referred to by Ezana, were not peripheral or insignificant; they were a prominent group, actively engaged in the regional political and military affairs.

The historical accounts of Al Yaqubi and King Ezana collectively challenge the streamlined narrative of the Baza’s history. They reveal a group with a deep historical presence, actively involved in the regional affairs of Northeast Africa much earlier than the 1800s. This revelation calls for a reevaluation of the Baza’s historical timeline, recognizing them as a significant and influential group in the ancient history of the region.

At a later and most recent era, the Baza have been rebranded and given an identity by the name “Kunama” The name “Kunama” is a more recent term that was adopted in the early 20th century, and it has since become the most commonly used name to refer to this ethnic group. The origin of the term “Kunama”is derived from a word which means “Natural, Pure, or Distinct (Alexander Naty (PhD): 2001).” It has been attested that this term was apparently chosen as a way of emphasizing the unique cultural and linguistic identity of the Kunama people.

Prior to the adoption of the term “Kunama,” the Baza, Bazen, and Baden names were used to refer to this ethnic group in various historical and cultural contexts. These names link to the history of the great kingdom of Bazin to which the originality and nomenclature of the ethnic group has been linked with. Therefore the ethnic name “Kunama” must be reverted to its historical and original name of the tribe “Baza” which is widely used in Sudan and Eritrea. The name “Baza” has a strong historical significance, as it is linked to the great “Baza kingdom,” which had a distinct history and territory.

Furthermore, the name “Kunama” was introduced with the advent of the European missionaries and the influence of Tigrinya speaking guides who, in most cases, used the term in a wrongful manner. The connotation attached to the name “Kunama” was not interpreted correctly to its original meaning, it perpetuates as a proper noun while it is a descriptive adjective as per Alexander Naty’s 2001 analogy.

Understanding the historical significance and cultural identity associated with the original name Baza, from now onward and in all correspondences, the name Baza will be used instead of “Kunama” when referring to this ethnic group. We believe in the importance of acknowledging and preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Baza people. We therefore call upon all entities to use the name “Baza” as a sign of respect and recognition of the cultural significance associated with these people.