About the People

Located in the country’s northernmost region, the Dendi people of Benin live mainly in the lush plains of the Niger River. Many of the remaining Dendi live in the high grass areas, where there is little water and sparse vegetation. Sizable communities can also be found in the nearby countries of Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. The Dendi ethnic group is one of approximately 70 ethnic groups in Benin, the least evangelized non-Muslim country south of the Sahara. They trace their origin to the eighth-century kingdom of Za and embraced Islam as early as 1010, but mixing it with their original animistic beliefs.

Dendi settlements usually consist of round, mud or thatched homes with straw roofs. Today, an increasing number of villagers live in rectangular mud-brick houses with corrugated tin roofs. Dendi settlements along the Niger River contain many rice fields and garden plots. Villages farther from the river are surrounded by bush areas and cultivated fields. Cowpeas, groundnuts, and manioc are the typical crops, but millet is grown from June to September during the brief rainy season.

Farming is considered noble labor among the Dendi and is for men only. The women have gardens where they grow mangoes, guavas, citrus fruits, papayas, dates, and bananas during the hot, dry season. They also cultivate carrots, tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, and various types of squash. Family members do most of the garden work. In addition to farming, the Dendi also raise some livestock.

The Dendi are almost entirely Muslim. Even though Islam introduced new elements to the Dendi culture, it left the underlying framework of custom and tradition virtually untouched. Islam is superficially important. Every town has a mosque. Some communities have imams (religious leaders) who teach Islamic philosophy and lead Muslim ceremonies. However, spirit possession, magic, sorcery, ancestor worship and witchcraft remain vital components of Dendi belief.

About the Project

The Republic of Benin, a West African country roughly the size of Pennsylvania, is bordered by Togo, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Atlantic Ocean. Once the seat of the powerful Dahomey kingdom, Benin became a French colony in 1900 and gained independence in 1960, subsequently becoming the first African country to successfully transition from a dictatorship to a pluralistic political system.

Benin’s natural resources include oil, marble, limestone and timber. Industries include textiles, cigarettes, food and beverages, construction materials and petroleum. However, the economy is chiefly based on agriculture, and the tropical climate has two rainy and two dry seasons, with periods of intense drought causing much suffering for the Dendi people. Malnutrition is also a problem for many of them.

Currently, there are some Christian resources available in the Dendi language, but the majority of these precious people have not heard a clear presentation of the gospel.

Resources

Joshua Project—Dendi

People-Group Facts

• Population: 100,000
• Language: Dendi
• Religion: Islam (with indigenous religious undercurrents)