Gbari, Benin
Gbari | |
|---|---|
Arrondissement and town | |
 | |
| Country |  Benin |
| Department | Borgou Department |
| Commune | Nikki |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 3,136 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Gbari is a town located in the Gnonkourakali arrondissement, within the Borgou Department of northeastern Benin. It is administratively under the jurisdiction of the commune of Nikki.
Geography
[edit]Gbari lies in the northern part of Benin and forms part of the rural settlement structure within the Borgou Department. The area is characterized by a savanna landscape, with seasonal rainfall typically occurring between May and October. The town is accessible via local roads connecting it to the arrondissement capital, Gnonkourakali, and further to Nikki.[1]
Demographics
[edit]According to the 2013 population census conducted by the Institut National de la Statistique et de l’Analyse Économique (INSAE), Gbari had a population of 3,136 residents.[2]
Economy
[edit]The economy of Gbari is predominantly based on subsistence agriculture. Local farmers cultivate crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and yams. Livestock rearing, particularly of goats and poultry, is also common. Informal trading and small-scale commerce serve as supplementary sources of income for many residents.[3]
Culture and Ethnicity
[edit]Gbari is home to members of the Bariba people, the dominant ethnic group in the Borgou region. The town's cultural life is deeply rooted in Bariba traditions, including annual festivals, music, and oral storytelling. The local language spoken is Baatonum, although French is used in administration and education.[4]
Administration
[edit]As part of the Gnonkourakali arrondissement, Gbari is governed by local village chiefs in coordination with the communal authorities in Nikki. The town is represented in communal decision-making through elected village delegates, in line with Benin's decentralized governance structure established in 2002.[5]
Infrastructure and Services
[edit]Gbari has access to primary educational facilities and basic healthcare through a local clinic. Water supply is typically drawn from boreholes and wells, while electricity is limited and mainly supplied through off-grid solutions such as solar panels.[6]
10°00′36″N 02°55′35″E / 10.01000°N 2.92639°E
References
[edit]- ^ White, Howard (2009). Using Surveys for Impact Evaluation: Lessons from the World Bank Experience. World Bank Publications. p. 37.
The Borgou region in northern Benin is characterized by savannah vegetation and a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
- ^ "Données Recensement 2013 - Bénin - Benin Data Portal". Benin Data Portal. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ Le Meur, Pierre-Yves (2006). State, Land and Decentralization in Northern Benin. Paris: GRET/IRD.
- ^ Bierschenk, Thomas (2003). "Local Powers and a Distant State in Rural Central Benin". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 41 (3): 423–445. doi:10.1017/S0022278X0300435X.
- ^ Ouedraogo, Roch (2003). Decentralization and Local Governance in Francophone West Africa. Dakar: UNDP.
- ^ Benin Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (P096918) Implementation Completion Report (Report). World Bank. 2013. Retrieved 2025-04-22.