Banikoara

Its name is a Europeanized version of a Bariba phrase meaning "Bani's town", and honors its founder, Bani Gansé. Banikoara, like many areas of Benin, is home to a constituent monarchy. Banikoara is subdivided into 10 arrondissements; Banikoara, Founougo, Gomparou, Goumori, Kokey, Kokiborou, Ounet, Sompérékou, Soroko and Toura. They contain 53 villages and 11 urban districts. The arrondissement of Banikoara contains the villages of Arbonga, Demanou, Derou Garou, Kokire, Kommon, Kori Ginguiri, Tokey Banta, Wagou, Weterou and Yadikparou. The commune covers an area of 4383 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 152,028 people. In 2008 there was an estimated 24,917 living in the main town. Most of the population are engaged in agricultural activities followed by trade and handicrafts.