Sinendé

Sinendé is situated in the north-western part of the Borgou Department, about 150 km from the departmental capital of Parakou and roughly 623 km from Cotonou. ^[3] The commune is bounded to the north by the commune of Gogounou, to the south by N’Dali, to the east by Bembèrèkè, and to the west by Ouassa-Péhunco and Djougou. ^[4]

The commune comprises four arrondissements: Sinendé, Sikki, Sèkèrè and Fô-Bourè. ^[5] It includes 43 villages and urban districts. ^[6]

According to the 2013 national census (RGPH-4), the population was 91 672 (45 640 males; 46 032 females). ^[7] Ethnic composition: The Batombou (Betamaribè) make up approximately 59.9%, followed by the Peulh (~35.3%) and smaller proportions of Otamari, Yoruba, Nago, Dendi, Fon, Adja, Yom and Lokpa. ^[8] Religious life: Approximately 58% of the population practices Islam; about 11.1% adhere to traditional religions and 9.7% to Christianity. ^[9]

Sinendé is one of the leading **agricultural communes in the Borgou Department**, known especially for maize, cotton (so-called “white gold”), sorghum, soybeans and yam production. ^[10] Livestock rearing and trade are also significant in the local economy. ^[11]

Cultural identity in Sinendé is linked to the traditional Bariba (Baatonum) heritage; the annual **Gaani festival** is widely celebrated in the region. ^[12] Natural heritage sites include the sacred crocodile pond (“mare des caïmans”) at Sèkèrè, and the caves and hills of Bouro-Kpérou, which are of local tourism interest. ^[13]