KASSINA, or CASIINA, is a kingdom of Africa, si tuated to the north of the Niger, between the kingdoms of Bornou and Tombuctoo. This kingdom has such a strik ing resemblance to that Of Bornou in its soil, climate, and procuctions, as well as in its form of government, and in the manners of the people, that we must refer the reader, in those points, to an account of that kingdom.
There is a considerable difference, however, between the two kingdoms, in language, currency, and in certain articles of their commerce. The currency of Kassina consists of cowrie shells, of which 2500 arc equal to lOs lid. Sterling. The merchants of Kassina supply all other nations with the salt which is obtained from the kingdom of Bornou. The lakes in which this valuable commodity is found are 45 days march from Agadez, and are encircled by the burning sands of the Des-art of Bilma. A thousand camels are em ployed in the caravans, which arc engaged in this profitable ;rade. The other articles of commerce which the king (loin of Kassina affords, are, gold dust, slaves, cotton cloth, senna, goat skins, ox and buffalo hides, and civet ; and, in exchange for these,they receive cowries, horses, red caps, check linens, coarse woollen cloths, baize, small Turkey carpets, Mesurata carpets, silks, tissues, and brocades, sabre blades, Dutch knives, scissars, coral beads, small looking-glasses, and nuts, which communicate a pleasant bitter by infusion.
The rapidity of the Niger in its passage through the kingdom of Kassitta is so great, that vessels are unable to ascend the current. In the proceedings of the African Association (1792), Agadez is said to belong to Kassina, but Horneman states, that it is the capital of al.] independent kingdom called Ashen. The city of Cassina is 650 miles W. S. INV. from Bornou, and 690 E. S. E. from Tombuc too. It is situated in East Long. 11° 34', and North Lat. 144°.