Editing Waalo (section)

===Founding===
The exact founding date of Waalo is debated by historians, but is associated with the rule of the first king, the semi-legendary [[Ndiadiane Ndiaye]], in the 13th or 14th century.<ref name="sarr">Sarr, Alioune, "Histoire du Sine-Saloum (Sénégal)", in Bulletin de l'IFAN, tome 46, série B, nos 3-4, 1986–1987. {{p.|19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Ndiaye |first1=Bara |editor1-last=Fall |editor1-first=Mamadou |editor2-last=Fall |editor2-first=Rokhaya |editor3-last=Mane |editor3-first=Mamadou |title=Bipolarisation du Senegal du XVIe - XVIIe siecle |date=2021 |publisher=HGS Editions |location=Dakar |page=187 |language=French |chapter=Le Jolof: Naissance et Evolution d'un Empire jusqu'a la fin du XVIIe siecle}}</ref>{{sfn|Boulegue|2013|p=57}} Ndiaye, originally a [[Fula people|Fula]] from Takrur, united the Lamanes and ruled Waalo for 16 years as an arbiter or judge rather than king before, according to some oral accounts, being driven out by his half brother Barka Bo, or Barka Mbodj. After this, Ndiaye took control of Jolof and founded the [[Jolof Empire]].{{sfn|Boulegue|2013|p=45}}<ref name = Epopee/> Barka Mbodj was the first ruler to use the royal title '[[Brak (title)|Brak]]'.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Boulègue |first1=Jean |title=Le Grand Jolof'', (XVIII<sup>e</sup> - XVI<sup>e</sup> Siècle)'' |date=1987 |publisher=Karthala Editions |location=Paris |page=63}}</ref> Ndiaye eventually made Waalo a vassal.{{sfn|Davis|p=198}}


Europeans first appeared off the coast of Waalo in the 15th century, and soon began trading. This caused a significant shift in economic power away from the Jolof heartland towards coastal vassals such as Waalo and [[Cayor]]. [[Buumi Jelen]], a member of the [[List of rulers of the Jolof Empire|royal family]], may have established his own control over Waalo during this period, and is credited with creating a system of ''alkaldes'' who served as customs collectors for the Buurba Jolof. He later attempted to ally with the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] to take power, but was killed by his erstwhile allies in a dispute.{{sfn|Boulegue|2013|p=150}}

The Jolof empire broke up in the aftermath of the battle of Danki in 1549, though the Brak continued to pay symbolic tribute to the Bourba Jolof until 1715.{{sfn|Barry|1972|p=134}}