13 Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group in Nigeria

There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, Danda ethnic group is one of them. If you have never come across these people nor heard about them then this article will give you a great insight into these people. Read on to find out about the Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group in Nigeria.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group

It is equally important to know that they are also called Dandawa people. They are found in the northern part of the countries they are inhabiting. Out of all the countries, the population in Nigeria seems to be the smallest.

13 Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group in Nigeria

The people of the Danya Ethnic Group have some interesting facts about them and these facts would be shared with you in this post.

1. Population

Dandawa people are very few in number. Also, the amount is only up to 7,200 people in their population.

2. Language

Their language is known as Dendi. Meanwhile, the language is native to them. However, it is spoken by over 7,200 of their population.

3. Their Religion is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group

Danda people are strictly Islamic. Although, a few of them are Christians, the largest religion practised there is Islam. Also, they are up to 99.90%.

4. Education

In addition, there are no notable universities in the area where they occupy but these people do not joke with education. They train their children in schools and send them to universities. Meanwhile, some are now politicians and professors.

5. Occupation

The men are mostly farmers. They grow maize, millet, and plantains. However, some Danda men are cattle breeders. While some own poultry. They also produce milk and butter from cows and goats. Also, the women grow vegetables and herbs.

It is from these they are able to provide some basic necessities in the house. There are also traders that deal in cotton fabrics, kola nuts, salt, dried fish, and other items.

6. Their Marriage Customs is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group

In addition, according to the belief of the Danda people, marriage gives men a whole new level of respect. This is why, males wait till their early 20s before they marry. While the females are given at an early age in their teen life.

Also, men can get married to more than one wife. However, the first wife enjoys more benefits than the other wives. She is regarded as the chief of them all. In addition, wives do not leave in the same house as their husbands. In the rural part, they are given their own huts where they raise their children until they are mature enough to stay on their own.

Also, the men are allowed to intermarry with the local people in the region where they live or with neighbouring villages.

7. Household

The village of these people has an extended family member that is linked to a common male ancestor. Meanwhile, each group is divided into a sub-group and then into a household unit. The household unit consists of a son who is married to his wife and then it also consists of his children.

8. History

Like every other group, there must be a history of migration. Danda people are from the origin of the great Songhai Empire. This was in the 16th-century era. They have moved throughout the Niger River Valley. They were moving as merchants selling goods and rendering services to people along the way.

Today, the Danda tribe is scattered along 4 countries. They are in the northern parts of Nigeria, Niger, Togo, and the Benin Republic. But, they are fewer in Nigeria than in the rest.

9. Their Belief is One of the Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group

Dandi people still follow the culture of the Songhai people. They are completely Muslim and their way of life shows that of a Muslim. In their speech, marriage customs, naming ceremonies, and burial ceremonies, they all follow Muslim practice.

They believe in natural forces and depend on the elders to tell them about the secrets of nature and spirits.

10. Ethnicity

  • Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan.
  • People Cluster: Songhai.
  • People Group: Dandi.
  • Alternate name: Dandawa.

11. State

Dandawa people currently reside in the northwestern region of Nigeria. They are found in Kebbi State. Kebbi State is the 10th largest in the area and the 22nd most populous state out of 36 States in Nigeria.

12. Their Local Government Area is Among the Interesting Facts About the People of Danya Ethnic Group

The people of Dandawa are found in two local government areas. In Argungu local government area and in Bagudo local government area.

13. They Allow Divorce

In their culture and tradition, the woman can go ahead to divorce their husband but the children will still belong to the man’s lineage.

Conclusion

This article gives clear guidance on the interesting facts of the people of Dandawa or Danda, where they originate from, their present residence, and their way of life.

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