Kassena

The Kassena are an ethnolinguistic group in West Africa, primarily in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Their traditional homeland centers on the Kassena-Nankana area, with communities also found in adjacent districts and across the border into Burkina Faso. The group is one of the notable communities in northern Ghana, sharing cultural ties with neighboring populations.

The Kassena speak the Kassena language, commonly referred to as Kasena. Many Kassena are bilingual, using English in formal settings and commerce, in addition to their language at home and in communities.

Society and culture: The Kassena maintain a traditional system of local leadership headed by chiefs and sub-chiefs. Social organization also includes kinship networks and age-group associations that guide communal life, rites of passage, and customary ceremonies. Traditional beliefs coexist with Christianity and Islam, reflecting broader religious diversity in the region.

Economy: The economy is largely agrarian, with crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, and yams, supplemented by livestock keeping and petty trade. Market towns provide venues for exchange, and many Kassena participate in regional markets and cross-border trade.

History and modern developments: The Kassena have long-standing relationships with neighboring communities and have lived under various political orders, from pre-colonial governance to colonial and post-independence state structures. In modern times, education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects have shaped development across Kassena communities.