15th century – 16th century
Gambia, Casamance, Rio Cacheu and Rio Grande region
Kabu was the imperial subsystem of Mali described in traditional accounts for the region extending from the southern bank of the Gambia to Rio Grande. Its emergence was associated with westward Malinke migration, commercial activity, warfare, and the search for maritime salt and gold from the Kabu goldfields. The source links its state-building process particularly with Tiramakhan Traore.
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The Story
Portuguese navigators encountered representatives of Mali’s authority as they sailed along the navigable sections of the Gambia, Casamance, Rio Cachen, and Rio Grande. By the middle of the fifteenth century, Mali’s vassal kingdoms extended from the southern bank of the Gambia to Rio Grande. Traditional accounts call this regional imperial subsystem Kabu.
The establishment of Mali’s authority was associated with a westward migration of Malinke traders, peasants, and warriors. Traders sought maritime salt in the Gambia and gold from the Kabu goldfields, while warriors helped secure the new political order. The account associates these warriors with Tiramakhan Traore, described as one of Sundjata’s important war chiefs.
After defeating the king of Djolof, Tiramakhan Traore is said to have joined earlier Malinke migrants in conquering the country south of the Gambia. Many chiefly houses in the region traced their origins to Kabu and Tiramakhan. The text presents him as a likely initiator of the state-building process, while noting that Guelowar royal traditions north of the Gambia claimed descent from Malinke warriors from Kabu.
15th century – 16th century
Gambia, Casamance, Rio Cacheu and Rio Grande region
Kabu was the imperial subsystem of Mali described in traditional accounts for the region extending from the southern bank of the Gambia to Rio Grande. Its emergence was associated with westward Malinke migration, commercial activity, warfare, and the search for maritime salt and gold from the Kabu goldfields. The source links its state-building process particularly with Tiramakhan Traore.
Continue exploring
The Story
Portuguese navigators encountered representatives of Mali’s authority as they sailed along the navigable sections of the Gambia, Casamance, Rio Cachen, and Rio Grande. By the middle of the fifteenth century, Mali’s vassal kingdoms extended from the southern bank of the Gambia to Rio Grande. Traditional accounts call this regional imperial subsystem Kabu.
The establishment of Mali’s authority was associated with a westward migration of Malinke traders, peasants, and warriors. Traders sought maritime salt in the Gambia and gold from the Kabu goldfields, while warriors helped secure the new political order. The account associates these warriors with Tiramakhan Traore, described as one of Sundjata’s important war chiefs.
After defeating the king of Djolof, Tiramakhan Traore is said to have joined earlier Malinke migrants in conquering the country south of the Gambia. Many chiefly houses in the region traced their origins to Kabu and Tiramakhan. The text presents him as a likely initiator of the state-building process, while noting that Guelowar royal traditions north of the Gambia claimed descent from Malinke warriors from Kabu.