Ndiadiane Ndiaye
Founder of the Jolof Empire (around 1360)
Family : Mother : Linguère Fatoumata Sall (Fulani princess)
Action : According to Wolof and Serer oral tradition, he founded the Jolof Empire around the middle of the 14th century (about 1360) and took the title Buurba Jolof. He is presented as able to settle conflicts through wisdom rather than force. The Jolof brought several kingdoms of the region together in a confederation. According to Wolof tradition he first bore the name Ahmad Abou Bakr ibn Omar and received the name Ndiadiane Ndiaye from a Serer king and seer.
Legacy : After the battle of Danki in 1549, the kingdoms of the confederation regained their independence; by about 1600 the empire no longer existed.