Bariba

The Bariba, also known as Baatɔnɔ, are an ethnic group of West Africa, primarily located in Benin, with smaller communities in neighboring regions of Nigeria. In Benin, most Bariba live in the Borgou and Alibori departments, where they have long-standing historical and cultural ties to the land.

The Bariba language, called Bariba or Baatɔnɔ, is spoken by the Bariba people and has several dialects. It is used in daily communication, storytelling, ceremonies, and traditional songs, and sits within the broader Niger-Congo language family. Literacy and education in Bariba are supported by efforts to document and preserve the language alongside official languages like French.

Historically, Bariba polities formed powerful city-states in the Borgou region. The Kingdom of Nikki is the best-known traditional state associated with the Bariba, reflecting a legacy of organized governance, royal courts, and regional influence. Traditional social organization includes lineages, age-grade associations, and a system of chiefs or aristocratic authorities within city-states, complemented by councils and customary institutions.

Economically, Bariba communities have been involved in agriculture, livestock herding, and long-distance trade. Crops such as millet, sorghum, and yams are common, and markets have historically linked Bariba networks with neighboring peoples. Cultural life features music, dance, crafts, beadwork, and oral literature that preserve history and identity.

Religiously, Islam is widespread among the Bariba, while Christianity and traditional beliefs are also present. In contemporary Benin, the Bariba contribute to national life through politics, education, and culture, with diaspora communities in Nigeria and beyond maintaining links to their heritage.