The Bassari are an ethnic group who live primarily in Senegal, with some diaspora into Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. They are a matrilineal society stratified into different co ed social groups by age.[1]: 46 The Bassari speak a Tenda language called o-niyan. They are mainly subsistence farmers growing for self consumption, with fonio being a crop of large importance both to combat climate change and for cultural significance.[2] The majority of the Bassari are animists, and the men take part in the Kore initiation society.[3] Their art is mainly metallurgy, made for both cosmetic decoration and regalia with significance to the initiation society.[1]