Ndiadiane Ndiaye

Ndiadiane Ndiaye, frequently spelled Njaajan Njaay or Njai in English, was the semi-legendary founder of the Jolof Empire.

The story of Ndiadiaye Ndiaye is recorded in the oral histories of the Wolof and Serer peoples. As such, there are many different versions, some of which conflict. All or nearly all of the recorded versions share a few basic points, notably that Ndiaye was originally from Futa Toro; that he fled his home when his mother remarried, living in the Senegal river or on an island; that he was captured or lured by the people of Waalo and, after displaying his wisdom, made their king; and that he founded the Ndiaye dynasty that ruled Jolof until the 19th century. Ndiaye remains an important folk hero in Senegal today