Kassala, Sudan
Region: Kassala
Geographic Coordinates: 15.450000, 36.400000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Dry and hot with a short rainy season from June to September.
Population: 536009
Language: Arabic
Kassala is a city situated in the eastern part of Sudan, Near the border with Eritrea. It serves as the capital of Kassala State and has a population of around 500, 000 individuals. The city is renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, As well as its breathtaking landscapes and natural attractions. One of its most prominent landmarks is Taka Mountains, Which lie just outside the city. These mountains offer mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscape and are quite popular among nature enthusiasts and hikers.
Visitors can also explore numerous ancient ruins in this area that date back to prehistoric times. The city itself has a lively atmosphere with bustling markets selling everything from traditional handicrafts to fresh produce. Its colorful architecture reflects both Islamic and African influences, Making it an interesting place to wander around. Kassala’s history dates back thousands of years when it served as an important trading center for spices, Gold, Ivory, Slaves & textiles between Africa & Arabia. This trade route made it an attractive destination for merchants who settled here bringing their own cultures with them.
The town boasts several historical sites such as Fort Kassala built by Turkish forces during their occupation in 1820s-30s; or Al-Shaheed Mosque constructed by Ottoman governor Ismail Pasha in 1898 – both offering insights into Sudan’s colonial past. Another attraction worth visiting while in Kassala is Wadi Howar National Park – one of Sudan’s largest national parks covering over 2 million hectares! This park offers visitors a chance to see some rare wildlife species like Nubian Ibexes or Desert Gazelles amongst others while enjoying breathtaking views over vast plains & hillsides dotted with acacia trees!
Overall Kassala provides visitors with a unique insight into Sudanese culture while providing plenty of opportunities for adventure seekers looking for something different than your typical tourist destination. Whether you want to explore ancient ruins, Hike through stunning landscapes, Or simply soak up the local culture, Kassala has something for everyone.
- Taka Mountains
- Khatmiyya Mosque
- Al-Shafa’i Mosque
- Kassala Museum
- Old Town of Kassala
- The Market of Kassala
- The Gash River
- Dinder National Park (located nearby)
- The major industries and businesses in Kassala, Sudan include:
- Agriculture (especially sorghum and sesame)
- Small-scale manufacturing
- Trade
- Services
- The city is also known for its traditional handicrafts such as:
- Weaving
- Pottery
- Basketry
- Additionally, there are some mining activities in the surrounding areas for minerals such as:
- Gold
- Silver
- The Kingdom of Kush: Kassala was a part of the ancient Kingdom of Kush, which existed from around 1070 BC to 350 AD.
- Ottoman Empire: Kassala was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1559 and remained under their rule until the early 19th century.
- Mahdist War: In 1885, during the Mahdist War, Kassala was besieged by forces loyal to Muhammad Ahmad al-Mahdi for over six months before being relieved by British-led Egyptian troops.
- Italian colonization: In 1894, Italy declared Kassala a colony and established a military garrison in the city. It remained under Italian rule until Sudan gained independence in 1956.
- Osman Digna: Osman Digna was a prominent leader during the Mahdist War and played a crucial role in shaping Kassala’s history.
- Yasin Abdel Ati: Yasin Abdel Ati is a famous Sudanese poet and writer who hails from Kassala.
- Al-Tayeb Salih: Al-Tayeb Salih is another renowned Sudanese writer who spent much of his childhood in Kassala and wrote about his experiences growing up there in his book Season of Migration to the North.
- Khatmiyya Sufi Shrine
- Kassala Regional Museum
- Al-Shafi Mosque
- The Old City of Kassala
- Hamashkoreib Wildlife Reserve
- Taka Mountains National Park
- Al-Gurashi Mosque
- The Red Sea Hills
- Gash River Conservation Area
- Dinder National Park
- Kassala, located in eastern Sudan, has a rich history of sports.
- Football or soccer is the most popular sport in Kassala and there are multiple football clubs that represent the city in national competitions.
- One of the most notable football clubs from Kassala is Al-Takaful SC.
- The club was founded in 1970.
- Al-Takaful SC has become one of the most successful teams in Sudanese football history.
- The club has won numerous domestic titles.
- Al-Takaful SC has also represented Sudan in continental competitions like the CAF Champions League.
- Another prominent football club from Kassala is Al-Ahli SC.
- The team was founded in 1964.
- Al-Ahli SC has enjoyed success on both domestic and continental levels.
- The team has won several league titles throughout its history.
- In addition to football, basketball is also a popular sport in Kassala.
- The city produced several talented basketball players.
- These players represented Sudan at international tournaments.
- Overall, sports play an important role in Kassala’s cultural fabric with various teams representing the city across different disciplines.
- Kassala Cultural Festival is an annual celebration that highlights the cultural diversity of Kassala. The festival features traditional music, dance, food, and handicrafts.
- Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. This holiday is celebrated with prayers, feasting, and gift-giving.
- Sudanese Independence Day is a national holiday that commemorates Sudan’s independence from British colonial rule on January 1st.
- Moulid al-Nabi is an Islamic festival that honors the birth of Prophet Muhammad with religious ceremonies, processions, and feasts.
- Sufi Music Festival is an annual event in Kassala that showcases the mystical music traditions of Sufi Islam.
- International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8th in Kassala as well as all over the world with rallies, speeches, and other events to promote women’s rights.
- Harvest Festival (Mawsim) is celebrated by farmers in rural areas around Kassala to mark the end of harvest season with traditional songs and dances.
- National Tree-Planting Day is observed every year on June 15th to encourage tree planting across Sudan including Kassala for environmental conservation purposes.
- Asida – a type of porridge made from sorghum flour and served with various stews or sauces.
- Ful medames – a dish of stewed fava beans served with bread and sometimes eggs.
- Shai – Sudanese tea that is brewed with black tea leaves, mint, and sugar.
- Kabab – grilled meat skewers typically made from lamb or beef.
- Tamia – fried patties made from ground chickpeas and spices.
- Al-Mawasi Restaurant – known for its traditional Sudanese cuisine such as asida, kabab, ful medames, and more.
- Al-Rawabi Restaurant – serves a variety of dishes including grilled meats, seafood, salads, and desserts.
- Al-Manara Restaurant – offers both traditional Sudanese dishes as well as international cuisine like pizza and pasta.
- Al-Salam Restaurant & Cafe – serves breakfast items like ful medames as well as sandwiches, burgers, and other fast food options.
- El-Gadid Cafe & Restaurant – known for its shai (Sudanese tea) as well as snacks like tamia (chickpea patties) and falafel wraps.
- Kassala National Park: This park is located about 20 km from the city center and offers hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Al-Haj Yousif Park: This park is located in the heart of Kassala and features a playground, walking paths, and picnic areas.
- Al-Shaheed Garden: This garden is a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It features fountains, gardens, and shaded seating areas.
- Cultural Palace: The Cultural Palace hosts cultural events such as music concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions.
- Sports Complex: The Sports Complex offers facilities for soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis and other sports activities.
- Swimming Pools: There are several public swimming pools in Kassala where visitors can cool off during hot summer days.
- Camel Market: Visitors can experience traditional Sudanese culture by visiting the camel market where they can see camels being sold or traded between local farmers.
Sudanese Cuisine
Popular Restaurants in Kassala
Note: Please check travel advisories before planning your trip to Sudan or any other country mentioned above as there may be restrictions due to COVID-19 or other reasons that you need to be aware of at this time.
