The Balaw (or Belew) are a Tigrayit-speaking tribe historically inhabiting western and southern Eritrea, as well as eastern Sudan, particularly around Suakin.
Ethnic group| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 Sudan and  Eritrea | |
| Languages | |
| Tigre Language | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Beja Tigrinya |
Their origins are believed to trace back to the Suakin region, from where they expanded and significantly influenced the military, political, economic, and socio-cultural landscape of Eritrea and eastern Sudan. Before converting to Islam, the Balaw were predominantly Christian. Their alliance with the Ottoman Empire against the Portuguese helped establish their dominance, leading Balaw families to rule much of Eritrea and eastern Sudan between the 16th and late 19th centuries CE. Their main centers of power were Massawa and Hirgigo in Eritrea, and Suakin in Sudan, serving as political and economic hubs for their rule. Some Balaw families continued their influence further down the coast, reaching as far as Zeila, where they shaped political and social structures and attained positions of political preeminence.
Today, the Balaw continue to live in these regions, maintaining their distinct cultural heritage while integrating with the broader societies of Eritrea and Sudan.
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References
- "The ancestors of the Tigrinya people". Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- Red Sea Citizens Cosmopolitan Society and Cultural Change in Massawa. Indiana University Press. 6 July 2009. p. 36. ISBN 978-0253220790.
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