Dendi

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

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)

Frontier Stories

The Next Step

To become effective agents of change, AFM missionaries must overcome the prejudices of key players in the community—decision makers, family leaders, and others with great influence.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
January 01 2011, 10:20 am | Comments 0

Brother Lateef

I met brother Lateef for the first time in a wedding procession that passed in front of our house.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
December 01 2010, 10:18 am | Comments 0

Beyond the Unreached

For the past few weeks, we have turned our attention to many local Christians of other denominations who are interested in studying the Bible with us.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
November 01 2010, 10:15 am | Comments 0

The Unknown Verse

Ousmane was categorical: “I would support capital punishment for a relative who dared to leave Islam.”

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
October 01 2010, 10:13 am | Comments 0

Camp Meeting

Beginning on June 14, I spent a month in the States attending Michigan Camp Meeting, the General Conference session in Atlanta and a special wedding in Columbus, Ohio.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
September 01 2010, 10:11 am | Comments 0

Computers for the Community—Our New Outreach

A computer business center may not sound like it has much to do with missions, but Elmire’s business center is an important part of our outreach among the Dendi people of Kandi, Benin, opening doors for evangelism in ways we never imagined.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
August 01 2010, 10:09 am | Comments 0

Superstition

Here in Benin, our Dendi people believe that black cats, black dogs, and most other black animals bring bad luck and are used by sorcerers in witchcraft. People believe in the power of good-luck charms, such as coins, kauri shells, white garments, etc. to ward off evil and bring good fortune.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
July 01 2010, 10:07 am | Comments 0

Softening Hearts

Soon after we began work in Kandi, we developed a list of prayer points for our people group. We divided the list into two prayer points for each day of the week—one prayer focus for the morning, and one for the evening.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
June 01 2010, 10:05 am | Comments 0

Sharing Meals

We have a saying that if there is enough for two, then there will be enough for four.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
May 01 2010, 10:02 am | Comments 0

Communion

When I told him we hadn’t yet had a visit from a church official during our three years of service in Benin, he was eager to visit us and hold a communion service with us.

By: Michée & Elmire Badé
April 01 2010, 10:00 am | Comments 0

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