Namandirou | |
|---|---|
 Namandirou (Njarmeew), within theJolof Empire | |
| Capital | Sare |
| Religion | Traditional African religion,Islam |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Bëlëp | |
• early 16th century | Wali Mberu Mbacke |
| Today part of | Senegal |
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Namandirou (also spelledNammandiru), also known asNjarmeew orGeremeo, was a kingdom in what is now easternSenegal.
The name 'Namandirou' means 'country of abundance'.[1] It is the more ancient name, while 'Njarmeew' or 'Geremeo' was the name commonly used in the 15-16th centuries.[2]
The early history of Namandirou is murky. Oumar Kane, citing oral histories, proposes that the Jaaogo dynasty ofTakrur originated there, ruling until roughly 1000CE.[3] After the conquest of Takrur by theSoninke Manna dynasty, Namandirou became their vassal, and was devastated by theAlmoravids between 1072 and 1087.[2] Rokhaya Fall argues that it was likely a part of theKingdom of Wuli during a period when Wuli controlled the entire area between theFerlo desert and theFaleme river.[1]
In the 13th century, Namandirou reappeared under the name Njarmeew, ruled by theWolof Ndaw family who had originated north of theSenegal river.[2]
In approximately 1460 (according toPortuguese writerAndre Donelha), Namandirou was invaded by theJolof Buurba,Tyukuli N'Diklam, although some scholars argue that another Buurba,Birayma N'dyeme Eler,[4] was responsible. After a long war, the Bëlëp (also Ber-lab, or king) of Namandirou was killed in a pitched battle, and the kingdom was conquered and given to a member of the royal family as a fief.[5][2][6] Yoro Dyao records that, in the early 16th century,Koli Tengella defeated Ber-lab Wali Mberu Mbacke and drove the remaining population out, but he may be conflating Koli's attack on the easternJolof Empire with the destruction of the independent kingdom half a century earlier.[7] This attack, among other things, helped weaken Jolof and set the stage for its disintegration at theBattle of Danki.[8]