Jolof Empire

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The Jolof Empire ruled various parts of Senegal.

The Jolof also called Dyolof or Wolof was an empire in modern day Senegal founded by the Wolof that still dominated the region. It's capital was Linguère, about 152 miles east-northeast of Dakar. Little is known about Jolof's early rise other than it had direct trade or was possibly a vassal of the Mali Empire.

The Jolof Empire was at its peak in the early 16th century, when profitable trade was carried on with the Portuguese. In 1549 the western province of Kayor declared independence. In 1555 Bawol also separated. Jolof found itself as a mere neighbor to the kingdoms surrounding it while vying for trade with the Portuguese. Wolof was absorbed into the French colony administered from Dakar in 1890.

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Brief Jolof History

1200 Jolof settled as small kingdom.
1350 Jolof begins dominating neighboring states such as Waalo.
1500 Jolof at height of power.
1549 Jolof reduced to kingdom as Kayor state breaks off from empire followed by Bawol.
1875–1890 Annexed to empire of Ahmadu Shaykhu.
1895 Under French sovereignty.
1900 State extinguished.