The Kursenieki are also known as Curonians.

The Curonians (Curonian: Kursi; Kuren; Kurši; Kuršiai; Kuralased) were a Baltic tribe that later formed the part Latvian and Lithuanian nations. They gave their name to the region of Courland (Kurzeme). They spoke the Curonian language. The Curonians lived in Latvia and Lithuania from the 5th to the 16th centuries.

The Curonians were known as fierce warriors, excellent sailors and pirates. They were involved in several wars and alliances with Swedish, Danish, and Icelandic Vikings. Grobin was their main center during the Vendel Age. Chapter 46 of Egils Saga describes one Viking expedition by the Vikings Thorolf and Egill Skallagrímsson in Courland. They took part in attacking Sweden's main city Sigtuna in 1187. Curonians have had temporary settlements established in oversea regions including the Eastern Sweden, Gotland and Bornholm islands.

The Curonians were especially religious people, worshipping pagan gods and their sacred animal, the horse. However, the Curonians were one of the first Baltic tribes to accept Christianity, although pagan customs were continued by their descendants after the 19th century. Some of the most important writing sources about the Curonians are the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, the Livländische Reimchronik, the Egils Saga, and Saxo Grammaticus's Gesta Danorum.

The Curonians were conquered by the Livonian Order in 1266 and eventually merged with other tribes. Descendents of the Curonians include the Kursenieki of the Curonian Spit and the so-called Curonian Kings of Courland.

Administrative division

The territory inhabited by the Curonians was divided into certain administrative districts or lands (south to north):

• Pilsāts - the smallest land of around 200 km², in the western part of modern Klaipėda district and nothwestern part of Šilutė district of Lithuania;
• Megava - (mentioned as Negouwe in chronicles) 500 km², in modern Palanga, Kretinga and Šventoji environs;
• Ceklis - (Cecklis) the largest land of 1500 km² west of Venta River in Samogitia, up to the Lithuanian-Latvian border;
• Duvzare - (Dovsare) further north in Courland of modern Latvia;
• Piemare - (Bihavelanc) north of Duvzare, in Courland.
• Bandava - (Bandowe) north of Piemare, in Courland.