The Banso area is inhabited by the Banso tribes. The name Banso comes from: 'BA', which means 'people of' and 'NSO', which is 'the tribe'. Banso is also referred to as Kinbo, Kumbo, or Nsu

The Nso are ruled by their own Fon (local ruler), while the sub rulers are called Shuu-Fai or Fais. Each one of them heads around 150 people. Fais have colorful necklaces, they always wear a hat and they carry a walking stick, weather they need it or not. Shaking hands with the Fais is regarded an insult.

The capital of the Nso is Kumbo, which is the location of the Fon palace and where some accommodation can be found.