Natitingou | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 10°18′N1°22′E / 10.300°N 1.367°E | |
Country | Benin |
Department | Atakora Department |
Area | |
• Total | 3,045 km2 (1,176 sq mi) |
Elevation | 426 m (1,398 ft) |
Population (2013 census) [1] | |
• Total | 104,010 |
• Density | 34/km2 (88/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Natitingou, informally referred to as Nati, [2] is a city and commune in north western Benin and the capital of Atakora Department. The commune covers an area of 3045 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 104,010 people. [3] [4]
Natitingou, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy. [5]
The town was founded by the Waama ethnic groups but is populated with Ditammari, Dendi, Nateni, Fulani, Fon, and many other ethnic groups. According to popular etymology, the town takes its name from the word Nantibatingou, from the Waama root "Nanto" meaning to crush, as the local people were renowned growers of sorghum which was native to the area and later millet. [6]
Natitingou is evenly divided between Christians and Muslims and, like the rest of Benin, is notable for its ethnic and religious tolerance. [6]
The mountains surrounding the region to the east and west sides are important in local animists, who believe them to be inhabited by spirits. [6] Certain people subscribe to the idea that during the evening these spirits emit sounds similar to those produced by stones which women uses to crush cereal grains. [6] Adherents do not crush cereals in the evening, so as not to confuse the two sounds. [6]
European missionaries visited Natitingou in the 19th century and early 20th century. [6]
The town of Natitingou belongs to the Department of Atakora in northwestern Benin. It lies in a semi-valley, formed by the two mountain ridges that surround it. Natitingou is located 645 km from the economic capital of Cotonou and 100 km from Porga at the entrance of the Pendjari National Park. [6] The commune is bounded on the north by Toucountouna, south and east by Kouandé and to the west by the commune of Boukombé. [3] [6]
The climate in Natitingou is drier than in the south, particularly during the Harmattan season in December/January, when humidity can be as low as 10% and night temperatures can be as low as 17 degrees Celsius.
Climate data for Natitingou (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1921–present) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 40.0 (104.0) | 44.2 (111.6) | 42.2 (108.0) | 41.5 (106.7) | 40.7 (105.3) | 37.8 (100.0) | 39.9 (103.8) | 40.7 (105.3) | 39.5 (103.1) | 37.5 (99.5) | 39.4 (102.9) | 39.5 (103.1) | 44.2 (111.6) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 34.9 (94.8) | 36.9 (98.4) | 38.0 (100.4) | 36.4 (97.5) | 34.0 (93.2) | 31.9 (89.4) | 30.0 (86.0) | 29.4 (84.9) | 30.8 (87.4) | 32.9 (91.2) | 35.2 (95.4) | 35.2 (95.4) | 33.8 (92.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.7 (80.1) | 28.9 (84.0) | 30.8 (87.4) | 30.3 (86.5) | 28.6 (83.5) | 27.0 (80.6) | 25.8 (78.4) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.9 (78.6) | 26.9 (80.4) | 27.0 (80.6) | 26.5 (79.7) | 27.5 (81.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.4 (65.1) | 20.8 (69.4) | 23.5 (74.3) | 24.2 (75.6) | 23.2 (73.8) | 22.0 (71.6) | 21.5 (70.7) | 21.3 (70.3) | 21.0 (69.8) | 20.9 (69.6) | 18.7 (65.7) | 17.8 (64.0) | 21.1 (70.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) | 13.4 (56.1) | 15.3 (59.5) | 17.8 (64.0) | 17.8 (64.0) | 17.8 (64.0) | 18.0 (64.4) | 18.0 (64.4) | 17.7 (63.9) | 15.7 (60.3) | 11.4 (52.5) | 8.8 (47.8) | 8.8 (47.8) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 1.8 (0.07) | 6.5 (0.26) | 15.7 (0.62) | 68.6 (2.70) | 127.5 (5.02) | 159.2 (6.27) | 183.2 (7.21) | 274.6 (10.81) | 241.9 (9.52) | 104.6 (4.12) | 12.3 (0.48) | 0.2 (0.01) | 1,196.1 (47.09) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 111 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 33.1 | 34.3 | 46.0 | 62.7 | 72.1 | 77.4 | 81.5 | 83.0 | 81.1 | 74.9 | 54.8 | 39.3 | 61.7 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 272.8 | 249.2 | 248.0 | 240.0 | 244.9 | 207.0 | 164.3 | 139.5 | 162.0 | 226.3 | 264.0 | 260.4 | 2,678.4 |
Percent possible sunshine | 77 | 76 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 55 | 42 | 37 | 45 | 62 | 76 | 74 | 61 |
Source 1: NOAA [7] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Meteo Climat (extremes) [8] |
Natitingou is subdivided into nine arrondissements; four of them urban: Natitingou I, Natitingou II, Natitingou III and Natitingou IV (Péporiyakou) and five of them rural:Kotapounga, Kouaba, Koundata, Perma and Tchoumi-Tchoumi. They contain 39 villages and 26 urban districts. [3]
The commune has a population of 75,620 inhabitants according to the 2002 census (57,153 in 1992) with 37,388 men and 38,223 women. [6] The density is 56 inhabitants per km². The population is predominantly young. [6]
A multitude of ethnic groups reside here speaking a variety of languages. The main ethnic groups are the Ditammari, Waama and Dendi. [6] Other than traditional animism, Christianity and Islam are the main religions practised, and there are a number of churches and mosques in the area. However, many local Christians and Muslims often simultaneously believe in animist practices and join in traditional events in Natitingou.
People in the urban districts of Natitingou are mostly civil servants, craftsmen and merchants. [6] Natitingou has an important administrative function and has some of the most important administrative bodies and services in the Atakora Department. [6]
Agriculture is the backbone to the rural economy, and farmers produce sorghum, maize, yams and, more recently, cotton as a commercial product. [6] The manufacture and marketing of the local drink known as Tchoucoutou is also very important, and is produced by housewives and is their main source of income. [6] The drink is sold to nightclubs where there are many consumers. Tchoucoutou is made from the grain sorghum and is a form of malt beer. [6]
Natitingou is about 50 km from Benin's Pendjari National Park, where tourists can see West African wildlife during the months of December through June. [2] The Kota and Tanougou waterfalls, the great mud castles of the Betammaribe known as the Tata Somba are also within an hour or two of the town by car. Within the town itself can be found the Regional Museum of Natitingou, as well as two marketplaces. [2]
Villanova University Men's Basketball player Mouphtaou Yarou is a native of Natitingou. [9] He was ranked #9 in 2009 among high school basketball prospects in America.[ citation needed ]
Charles Thiebaut, a promoter of African music and culture in France, is a native of Natitingou. He grew up in an orphanage and was adopted by the Thiebaut family from France, when he was 4 years old.[ citation needed ]
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north-west, and Niger to the north-east. The majority of its population lives on the southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Porto-Novo, and the seat of government is in Cotonou, the most populous city and economic capital. Benin covers an area of 114,763 square kilometres (44,310 sq mi) and its population in 2021 was estimated to be approximately 13 million. It is a small, tropical country. It is one of the least developed, with an economy significantly dependent on agriculture, and is an exporter of palm oil and cotton. Some employment and income arise from subsistence farming.
The demographics of Benin include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Alibori is the largest and northernmost department of Benin. Externally the department borders the countries of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria, and internally the departments of Atakora and Borgou. The department of Alibori was created in 1999 when it was split off from Borgou Department and is named after the Alibori River.
Atakora is the northwesternmost department of Benin. Externally it borders Togo to the west and Burkina Faso to the north; internally it borders the departments of Alibori, Borgou and Donga. Major towns in the Atakora include Natitingou and Tanguiéta, and the major tourist areas include the Tata Somba houses, Pendjari National Park, and various waterfalls. The department of Atakora was bifurcated in 1999, with its southern territory removed to form the newly created Donga Department. The capital of Atakora Department is Natitingou, which lies among the Atakora Mountains.
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The Pendjari National Park lies in north western Benin, adjoining the Arli National Park in Burkina Faso. Named for the Pendjari River, the national park is known for its wildlife and is home to some of the last populations of big game like the African forest elephant, lion, hippopotamus, African buffalo, and various antelopes in West Africa. The park is also famous for its richness in birds.
Donga is one of the twelve departments of Benin; its capital is Djougou, the fourth largest city in the country. The department of Donga was created in 1999 when it was split off from Atakora Department. Donga is subdivided into five communes, each centered at one of the principal towns: Bassila, Copargo, Djougou Rural, Djougou Urban and Ouaké.
Borgou is one of the twelve departments of Benin. Borgou borders the country of Nigeria and the departments of Alibori, Atakora, Collines and Donga. The capital of Borgou is Parakou. The department of Borgou was bifurcated in 1999, with its northern territory transferred to the newly created Alibori Department.
Tanguiéta is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 5465 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 74,675 people. As of 2007 the town had an estimated population of 21,290. It lies on the RNIE 3 highway which connects it to Natitingou.
Christianity is the largest religion in Benin, with substantial populations of Muslims and adherents of traditional faiths. According to the most recent 2020 estimate, the population of Benin is 52.2% Catholic, 24.6% Muslim, 17.9 Animist and 5.3% follows other faiths or has no religion.
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The Tammari people, also known as Batammariba, Tamberma, Somba, Otamari or Ottamari, are an Oti–Volta-speaking people of the Atakora Department of Benin where they are also known as Somba and neighboring areas of Togo, where they are officially known as Ta(m)berma. They are famous for their two-story fortified houses, known as Tata Somba, in which the ground floor houses livestock at night, internal alcoves are used for cooking, and the upper floor contains a rooftop courtyard that is used for drying grain, as well as containing sleeping quarters and granaries. These evolved by adding an enclosing roof to the clusters of huts, joined by a connecting wall that is typical of Gur-speaking areas of West Africa.
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