[oditous]

About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and also

migrated within the country. Ethnic groups include:

the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from Nigeria in the 12th century);
the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from Mali in the 16th century);
the Bariba and the Fulbe (Peul) in the northeast;
the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range;
the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central; and
the Mina, Xueda, and Aja (who came from Togo) on the coast.


The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba
groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulbe (also known as Fulani, Peul and
Fula) (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found many people who are descended from
returned Brazilian slaves. There are also small numbers of Europeans, principally French, and people from the western
Asia, mainly Lebanese, and East Asia, chiefly Indians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography_of_Benin

Angelique Kidjo, wellknown singer

Kidjo was born in Cotonou, Benin. Her father is from the Fon people of Ouidah and her mother from the Yoruba people.

Djimon Hounsou, hollywood actor, i think he's Fon


Christine Ouinsavi, minister, i think she's Fon, but not sure


Clément Gnonlonfoun , mayor in Ouémé region, where most Yoruba/Nago live


Nicephore Soglo, ex-president, Fon




Yaji Boni, current president, from the north,

Nago (de la famille Yoruba) par son père, Peul et Bariba du côté de mere

Mgr Isidore de Souza, Aguda, descendant of returnee afrobrazilians




These people are all from Vodomé, near the coast & border with Togo. I'm guessing many new world blacks (brazil/haiti

especially) can trace their origins to these people.

[oditous]

People from the North (fulanis not included afaik)

























People from the South (afaik)

[Samorost]

nice pictures, the fruit carrier lady near the end is a really beauty

[Kumar]

they look kinda chinese dont they?

[Samorost]

Originally Posted by Kumar

they look kinda chinese dont they?

er......no

[oditous]

^ they don't look chinese, but many do have a distinct eye shape.
No full epicanthus but almond shaped i guess.

I wonder if this trait developed locally/independently or if it can be related to extranal influences: khoisanid, berbers, nilotid??

That hollywood actor Djimon Hounsou looks kind of sudanese (dinka) imo.