Sinendé

Sinendé is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Borgou Department of central Benin. The commune covers an area of 2289 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 91,672 people.

Geography

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.
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.

Administration

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

Demographics

According to the 2013 national census, the population was 91 672.
Ethnic composition: The Batombou make up approximately 59.9%, followed by the Peulh and smaller proportions of Otamari, Yoruba, Nago, Dendi, Fon, Adja, Yom and Lokpa.
Religious life: Approximately 58% of the population practices Islam; about 11.1% adhere to traditional religions and 9.7% to Christianity.

Economy

Sinendé is one of the leading **agricultural communes in the Borgou Department**, known especially for maize, cotton, sorghum, soybeans and yam production.
Livestock rearing and trade are also significant in the local economy.

Culture and Heritage

Cultural identity in Sinendé is linked to the traditional Bariba heritage; the annual **Gaani festival** is widely celebrated in the region.
Natural heritage sites include the sacred crocodile pond at Sèkèrè, and the caves and hills of Bouro-Kpérou, which are of local tourism interest.