Tunni

The Tunni are a Somali clan traditionally regarded as a sub-group within the Digil and Mirifle (Rahanweyn) confederation. They are part of the larger Digil-Miril cluster and are associated with communities in southern Somalia. The Tunni are identified culturally and genealogically with the Digil component of the Rahanweyn, and their social networks extend across various districts in the region.

Geographically, the Tunni are primarily located in the southern part of the country, with settlements in the Lower Shabelle area and surrounding coastal and riverine districts. They speak the Tunni language, a variant within the Somali language continuum that is often described as part of the Digil-Mirifle group. The language and dialects of the Tunni communities reflect their historical connections to other Rahanweyn groups.

Society among the Tunni is traditionally clan-based, centered on extended kinship ties and customary leadership. Economically, communities have historically engaged in a mix of farming, pastoralism, and coastal trade, adapting to riverine and maritime environments typical of southern Somalia. Islam is the predominant faith, with Sunni practices and local religious institutions playing a central role in community life.

In modern times, the Tunni have participated in regional politics, administration, and civil society within the frameworks of Somalia’s evolving federal and local governance structures. Like many Somali groups, they have experienced displacement and the impacts of civil conflict, and some members belong to diaspora networks that maintain cultural and economic ties to their homeland. See also Digil, Mirifle, and Rahanweyn for related contexts.