Houssa
or HAUSSA (hous'sa), a region of Africa, in central Sudan. It is under the rule of the Fellatahs, who have subjected the native inhabitants, the Haussana or Haussas, a race intermediate between the negroes and the Berbers. They are intelligent and lively, expert weavers as well as agriculturists, and well acquainted with tanning and working in iron. Their language has become the general medium of commercial intercourse in central Africa. They are Mohammedans. There are two large towns in Houssa-Sokota and Kashua. See SUDAN.