Natitingou [na.ti.tɛ̃ŋ.gu], informally referred to as Nati [na.ti],[2] is a city and commune in north western Benin and the capital of Atakora Department.

According to popular etymology, the town takes its name from the word Nantibatingou, from the Waama root "Nanto" meaning to crush, as the local people were renowned growers of sorghum which was native to the area and later millet.

[6] Certain people subscribe to the idea that during the evening these spirits emit sounds similar to those produced by stones which women uses to crush cereal grains.

[6] Other than traditional animism, Christianity and Islam are the main religions practised, and there are a number of churches and mosques in the area.

[6] Agriculture is the backbone to the rural economy, and farmers produce sorghum, maize, yams and, more recently, cotton as a commercial product.

[6] Natitingou is about 50 km from Benin's Pendjari National Park, where tourists can see West African wildlife during the months of December through June.

[2] The Kota and Tanougou waterfalls, the great mud castles of the Betammaribe known as the Tata Somba are also within an hour or two of the town by car.