Dendi in Benin


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction

Usually living in settlements of round, mud or thatched dwellings with straw roofs, the Dendi are located in the northernmost region of Benin. They mainly reside in settlements in the lush plains of the Niger River that contain many rice fields and garden plots. Villages farther from the river are surrounded by bush areas and cultivated fields. The Dendi are almost entirely Muslim. Though Islam introduced new elements into the Dendi culture, it left the underlying framework of customs and traditions virtually untouched. Spirit possession, magic, sorcery, ancestor worship and witchcraft remain vital components of the Dendi belief system.


Ministry Obstacles

The Dendi are very involved in their current beliefs and may not wish to change their way or ideas, making the growth of a church in their communities difficult.


Prayer Focus

Pray for adequate rainfall to produce good crops and for improved health care.
Pray for entire Dendi families to embrace Christ.
Pray the Lord will send teachers to help the few Christ followers among the Dendi become firmly established on the truths of scripture and send pastors to shepherd them.
Pray for strong educational and economic systems in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Dendi, Dandawa in Benin.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Dendi, Dandawa
People Name in Country Dendi, Dandawa
Natural Name Dendi
Pronunciation den-DEE
Alternate Names Dandawa
Population this Country 310,000
Population all Countries 471,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
PeopleID3 11533
ROP3 Code 102513
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Atakora and Alibori departments, along Niger and Medru rivers, down to Kandi: Djougou, Parakou, and other northern towns.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Atakora and Alibori departments, along Niger and Medru rivers, down to Kandi: Djougou, Parakou, and other northern towns..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Dendi, Dandawa in Benin
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.03 %)
0.07 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.93 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Dendi (Benin) (310,000 speakers)
Language Code ddn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Dendi (Benin) (310,000 speakers)
Language Code ddn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Dendi (Benin)
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Jacques Taberlet - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.