Kaabu

Kaabu Empire Kaabu
1537–1867
Kaabu Empire circa 1625 (in purple)
Capital	Kansala
Common languages	Mandinka
Religion	Traditional African Religion
Government	Monarchy
Kaabu Mansaba
• 13th century	Sama Koli (first)
• 1867	Janke Waali (last)
History
• Kaabu Tinkuru Founded	1230s
• Independence from the Mali Empire	1537
• Battle of Kansala	1867
Currency	iron bars, cloth
Preceded by Succeeded by Mali Empire Imamate of Futa Jallon Fuladu Portuguese Guinea

Kaabu (1537–1867), also written Gabu, Ngabou, and N'Gabu, 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. However, Kaabu's successor states across Senegambia continued to thrive even after the fall of Kansala; this lasted until total incorporation of the remaining kingdoms into the British, Portuguese and French spheres of influence during the Scramble for Africa.