Waalo
Waalo ( different spelling Walo and Oualo ) was a former company, founded by the Wolof ethnic group in West Africa empire.
History
Waalo lay on the left bank of the lower Senegal River between the Atlantic Ocean and the Guiers Lake. To the north, in present-day Mauritania, was the kingdom of the Moors, to the south lay the kingdom Cayor and in the east the kingdom Jolof.
Waalo had a complicated political and social system that still has influences on contemporary culture in Senegal. This was particularly apparent in the rigid and formalized form of the box. The throne was inherited indirectly, dominated by three family clans with different ethnic origins: the Logar, the Tedyek and Joos. To the title of King of Waalo " Brak " there were constant clashes, as there had been battles with neighboring kingdoms.
According to legend, was founded in 1287 by Waalo NDiadiane Ndiaye, as it split from the Empire and its vassal state was Jolof. The first capital of Waalo was Diourbel ( Guribel ), north of Senegal in Mauritania today, then Ndiangué on the south side of the river; later, the capital was moved to Santander on the western shore of Lake Guiers. Waalo was constant target attacks, among other things, by the Moors, with the intent to rob slaves.
The Brak ruled with his government, the Seb Ak BAOR, via a complicated hierarchy of officials and dignitaries. Women had a high position and played a major role in the political and military history.
Waalo had to build lucrative contracts with the French, who were allowed their base on the island of Saint -Louis in the mouth. Waalo received for each boatload of gum arabic or slaves, which sailed the river, a fee for the "protection" of the trade. Finally, the protection has been ineffective, and the kingdom Bethio seceded from Waalo.
The empire was subjected to 1855 in a campaign of Louis Faidherbe for France and 1856 the district of Saint -Louis incorporated as a colony of Senegal. It was the first major conquest in Germany until finally Mauritania, Senegal and French Sudan (now Mali) were taken from France in possession. Overall Waalo had 52 kings since the founding.
Waalo had its own traditional African religion. The ruling class only slowly accepted Islam, which spread in the Senegal Valley. The Brak converted to Islam in the 19th century.