The
Bariba people, self designation
Baatonu (plural
Baatombu), are the principal inhabitants of
Borgou Department,
Benin, and cofounders of the
Borgu kingdom of what is now northeast Benin and northwest Nigeria. There are perhaps a million Bariba, 80% of them in Benin, where they are the fourth largest ethnic group in Benin and comprise approximately 1/12 of the population. The Bariba are concentrated primarily in the north-east of the country, especially around the city of
Nikki, which is considered the Bariba capital. They originally migrated from Kwara state
Nigeria and were renowned horsmen. One of their noted festivals is the annual
Gani festival which horseriding is very much a part of and is engrained in their culture.