The Deno, also known as Denawa or Denwa, are a small ethnic group located in Nigeria. Here are some key details about them:

Location and Population

• Location: The Deno people are primarily found in Bauchi State, in northeastern Nigeria. Specifically, the Deno language is listed as being spoken in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State. A populated place named Deno also exists in the Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
• Population: The estimated population of the Deno people is relatively small, with one source citing a population of approximately 14,000 people.

Language

• Deno Language: The people speak the Deno language (also called Be), which is an Afro-Asiatic language.
• Classification: It belongs to the West Chadic branch of the Chadic language family, and is part of the Bole–Tangale group.
• Language Shift: There is a noticeable shift among speakers to more widely spoken languages in the region, such as Hausa and Fulfulde.

Religion

• Primary Religion: The primary religion among the Deno people is Islam (often practiced with elements of folk traditional beliefs).

Culture and Identity

Due to the relatively small size of the Deno group, detailed, specific cultural information is limited. However, like many minority groups in Bauchi State, the Deno would be part of the broader cultural tapestry of the region, which includes:

• Arts and Crafts: Bauchi State is known for traditional crafts like leather works, pottery, and metal works.
• Festivals: Major cultural festivals in the region include the Durbar festival, which features a colorful parade and horse riding.
• Sports: Traditional wrestling (Kokowa) and boxing (Dambe) are popular traditional sports in the state.