Dendi language
Songhay language of northern Benin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dendi is a Songhay language used as a trade language across northern Benin (along the Niger River). It forms a dialect cluster with Zarma and Koyraboro Senni but it is heavily influenced by Bariba.
| Dendi | |
|---|---|
| Dandawa | |
| Native to | Benin, Niger, Nigeria |
| Region | West Africa |
| Ethnicity | Dendi |
Native speakers | (440,000 cited 2000-2021)[1] |
| Latin | |
| Official status | |
Recognised minority language in | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | ddn |
| Glottolog | dend1243 |
| |
Distribution
Dendi is mainly spoken in Northern Benin, but also in other parts of Benin, and neighbouring countries. The Dendi people are the main group in the Departments of Alibori, Borgou, Donga, and Atakora.
In Nigeria, the Dendi people are found in Bordering States (Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, and Sokoto), and in other parts of Nigeria. They are usually referred by the Hausa name Dendawa (which is also used for the Songhai people).
