Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

About Benin Language, Ethnic groups and Economy

About Benin Language, Ethnic groups, Flag and Economy

About Benin Language, Ethnic groups, Flag and Economy


There are thousands of languages spoken in Africa; over 2,000. The top 10 most spoken languages in Africa in order are; Arabic, Kiswahili (Swahili), Hausa, English, Amharic, French, Oromo, Yoruba, Igbo and Zulu. 


The languages spoken in Benin are French the official, Fon and Yoruba are most common in the south of Benin, and tribal languages there are at least six major ones in north Benin.


The Republic of Benin location in Africa

L'Aube Nouvelle, The Dawn of a New Day is the African County Benin national anthem. 

There are 10 million people living in Benin

The population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west.


Benin ethnic groups are:

Fon and related 39.2 percent
Adja and related 15.2 percent
Yoruba and related 12.3 percent
Bariba and related 9.2 percent
Peulh and related 7 percent
Ottamari and related 6.1 percent
Yoa-Lokpa and related 4 percent
Dendi and related 2.5 percent
Other 1.6 percent
Unspecified 2.9 percent


Major religions in Benin are:

Catholic 27.1 percent
Muslim 24.4 percent
Vodoun (Voodoo) 17.3 percent
Protestant 10.4 percent
Other Christian 5.3 percent
Unspecified 15.5 percent
Benin major agriculture products are:

Cotton
Corn
Cassava
Yams
Beans
Palm Oil
Peanuts
Cashews

Livestock


Benin major export partners are:

Bangladesh 18.1 percent
India 10.7 percent
Ukraine 9 percent
Niger 8.1 percent
China 7.7 percent
Nigeria 7.2 percent
Turkey 4 percent


Benin major import partners are:

Thailand 18.1 percent
India 15.9 percent
France 8.5 percent
China 7.5 percent
Togo 5.9 percent
Netherlands 4.3 percent
Belgium 4.3 percent


Benin’s flag is bands of yellow on top, red at the bottom with a vertical green band on the side. The green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage. 



More Articles to Read from Chic African Culture

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Food, Drink Offerings at Rock-Cut Tombs

Image
Loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water beer,  oils, and perfumes were offerings Ancient Egyptians offered to the deceased at Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs. A rock-cut tomb is a type of burial structure that is created by carving or excavating directly into natural rock formations. Rock-cut tombs are literally carved or excavated out of solid rock. This means that the tomb chambers, corridors, and other features are created by removing the rock material from the surrounding natural formation. Many of these rock-cut tombs feature decorative elements, such as wall paintings, inscriptions, and carvings.  In the Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs, the ancient Egyptians paid homage to their departed by presenting a variety of offerings. These included loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water, beer, oils, and perfumes. These offerings were a heartfelt gesture to honor and ensure the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife, reflecting the profound significance of their beliefs and funerary customs in ancient E
Read the Article

Architectural Glory: The Nouakchott Mosque of Mauritania

Image
Exploring the Nouakchott Mosque's Design   At first glance, the Nouakchott Mosque's most prominent feature is its soaring minaret, one of Africa's tallest. This towering structure serves as a call to prayer and a beacon that guides the faithful toward their place of worship. The minaret's height allows the call to prayer, or Adhan, to resonate far and wide, calling the community to come together for their daily prayers and congregational gatherings. It's common for mosques to be named based on their location, as in the Nouakchott Mosque in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The mosque's design pays homage to the classic elements of Islamic architecture. Like in many Islamic architectural designs, the dominant colors at the Nouakchott Mosque tend to be earthy and neutral tones, with white being a particularly prevalent color. These color choices have cultural and practical significance in Islamic architecture. Its grand entrance is adorned with intricate geometric patterns
Read the Article

Sand Traveling from the Shores of Ghana to New England

Image
The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, is an important reminder of the interconnectedness of all existence.  It serves as a reminder that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant elements of our world are subject to the grand tapestry of natural processes and the relentless passage of time.  It also invites us to reflect on the intricate web of relationships that underlie our existence and the profound implications of our actions on the global scale. The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, shows how interconnected our world is despite vast distances. Sand grains on the shores of Ghana, like those on coastlines worldwide, are constantly subject to natural processes such as erosion. Waves, tides, and weathering gradually break down rocks and minerals, producing sand. The Atlantic Ocean separates Ghana from the eastern United States. Ocean currents, including the North Atlantic Drift and the Gulf Stream, are c
Read the Article

Ancient Energy Source of Sarkin Ruwa

Image
The Ancient Energy of Sarkin Ruwa, the King of the Water Sarkin Ruwa is the West African Hausa culture revered spiritual energy, the guardian of all things water, making sure it flows and nourishes the Earth in the most extraordinary ways. In the grand tapestry of the natural world, few forces possess the mystique, the sheer might, and the profound influence that water holds. An embodiment of life and power, water transcends mere chemical composition, captivating our senses and imagination.  At the heart of this aquatic dominion stands a figure deserving of the loftiest accolades: Sarkin Ruwa, the King of the Water. To those who understand the true potential of this elemental ruler, it becomes evident that water's sovereignty reigns supreme. Imagine a realm that can both nurture and destroy, bestow life and take it away—a realm that can carve canyons out of rock and cradle civilizations with gentle tides. This is the kingdom of Sarkin Ruwa, where the ebb and flow of its currents po
Read the Article