The Adja-Fon, the majority inhabitants of the South
The city of Tado, in present-day Togo, is the cradle of the southern Benin peoples of Adja origin. The migration of these peoples is associated with a legend according to which the daughter of the king of Tado one day met a harmless panther, who a few months later gave her a son named Agasu. Raised at the kingdom's court, he went on to father many children. One of them, Adjahuto, killed the crown prince and fled with Agasu's skull and spear to Allada, where he founded a kingdom. His sons became kings: Meidji reigned over Allada, Zozérigbé over Porto-Novo and Do-Aklin over the Bohicon region, and the latter's nephew, called Houégbadja, created the kingdom of Abomey. Their descendants are the Adja (in Aplahoué), Xwla, Xuéda or Huéda (on the coast), Ayizo (in Allada), Mahi and Gun (in Porto-Novo). But the most important branch related to the Adja is the Fon, the origin of the powerful kingdom of Abomey. Moving eastwards, the Adja group assimilated with the existing Guédévi and probably Yoruba peoples. The Adja thus became the Fon, who later migrated eastwards to Cové and Kétou, and northwards to Savalou and Ouèssè. The Fon have a clear numerical superiority, accounting for 40% of the population. The Gun are in the majority in Porto-Novo, accounting for 15% of the population. People of Adja origin and assimilated peoples thus account for more than half of Benin's population, and are mainly concentrated in the south of the country. The Fon have a strong presence in Benin's administration and army. The importance of this ethnic group is reflected in the widespread use of the Fon language in everyday life.
The Yoruba, people from Nigeria
The Yoruba, known as Nago in Benin, live in the southeast and center of the country. Originally from present-day Nigeria, the Yoruba have long been established in Benin. It is said that Odudua, the mythical ancestor who founded the town of Ifé in Nigeria, sent his sons to found new kingdoms. The descendants of the Ifé kingdom thus created the kingdoms of Savé and Kétou. Comprising 12% of the population, the Yoruba are concentrated in the southeast and central-east of the country. Most are traders, and dominate Cotonou's Dantokpa market. The Nago, who live further north of Porto-Novo, are mainly farmers. Finally, the Afro-Brazilians, descendants of freed former slaves who returned from Brazil, are also of Yoruba origin, and in the past were distinguished by their high level of education.
The Bariba, the horsemen who conquered the Northeast
Originating from Busa in Nigeria, the Bariba horsemen invaded Borgou around 500 years ago. Their chief was named Sounon Séro, and one of his descendants, Séro Sykia, founded the town of Nikki, which became the center of a powerful feudal kingdom that included the kingdoms of Kouandé, Parakou, Kandi... The Bariba are mainly found in Borgou, in the northeast of the country, and make up 9.6% of Benin's population. They differ according to their social background. These include the Wassangari, the aristocracy of horsemen originally from Busa, the Gando, formerly slaves and now farmers or craftsmen, and the commoners, also farmers or craftsmen, who are descended from pre-existing populations. Finally, foreigners, Fulani herders or Hausa traders, make up the last social component. Unlike the Yoruba and Adja, the Bariba practice a traditional religion centered on ancestor and genie worship. However, they are increasingly open to Islam, as demonstrated by the growing number of mosques in the north of the country.
The Fulani, the nomads of the North
Also known as Fulbe and Fulanis, the Fulani have been the subject of much research into their origins. Scattered throughout West Africa, this pastoral people probably descended from the populations who inhabited the Sahara in Neolithic times and painted the Tassili frescoes. Nomads and cattle breeders, some have been Islamized (Black Peuls), others have kept their traditional beliefs (Red Peuls). In Benin, the Fulani cohabit harmoniously with sedentary peoples and are found mainly in the north of the country, grazing their herds of cows in the Niger River valley. They account for 7% of the population. Every year, at the end of the rainy season, the whole community gathers in Kandi to celebrate the great Gereol festival. Cattle are their main source of wealth. They accumulate it in anticipation of drought, dowry and traditional trade, and exchange milk for millet or manufactured goods.
Dozens of other ethnic groups
Among the forty or so other ethnic groups spread throughout Benin are the Betammaribé, or Somba (7% of the population), who have lived around the Atacora mountain range for several generations. This people took refuge in the mountains to escape the Bariba horsemen and the slave raids of the Abomey kingdom. This group was later joined by the Berba, the Yowa from Togo, and the Gulmaceba from Burkina Faso. There are also the Dendi, who left Mali in the 16th century, descending the Niger River and now live in the north-west of the country. As for the Mina (2.8% of the population), they originated in Ghana and populated the Grand-Popo region where, along with the Xweda of Adja origin, they formed the Popo, a term probably coined by the Portuguese.
Dialects... and French of course!
The official language is French, and this is often also the language of communication between different ethnic groups, as it is the language of instruction at school. In general, therefore, those who have not attended school and who live in disadvantaged regions or remote villages have no command of French. The majority of people in the south speak Fon, while Bariba and Dendi are the most widely spoken languages in the north. On the border with Nigeria, the local version of Yoruba or Nago is heard, but there are many other languages: Adja-Ewé, Ditammari..
