Kaabu

Guinea-Bissau, 1537–1867. Draft, not yet reviewed

Kaabu was a federation of Mandinka kingdoms in the Senegambia region centered within modern northeastern Guinea-Bissau, large parts of today's Gambia, and extending into Koussanar, Koumpentoum, and the Casamance in Senegal. It rose to prominence as an imperial military province of the Mali Empire. After the decline of the Mali Empire, Kaabu became independent. Kansala, the imperial capital, was captured by Fula forces from the Futa Jallon during the 19th century Fula jihads.

Seat of power: Kansala

No rulers documented for this era yet.

Culture

• Kaabu was established first as a province of Mali through the conquest in the 13th century of the Senegambia by Tiramakhan Traore, a general under Sundiata Keita.
• The ruling classes were composed of elite warriors known as the Nyancho who traced their patrilineal lineage to Tiramakhan Traore. The Nyancho were a warrior culture, reputed to be excellent cavalry men and raiders.
• At the climax of the eleven-day Battle of Kansala, Mansaba Janke Waali Sanneh ordered the city's gunpowder stores to be set afire. The resulting explosion killed the Mandinka defenders and 75% of the attackers.

Picture

According to Mandinka tradition, Kaabu remained unconquered for eight hundred and seven years.

Image: Duke of liang, CC0, file

Sources

• Kaabu (Wikipedia)
• Kaabu (Wikidata)
• About the picture (Wikipedia)

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.