Ndiadiane Ndiaye

Ndiadiane Ndiaye, frequently spelled Njaajan Njaay or Njai in English, is the legendary founder of the Jolof Empire. The story of Ndiadiaye Ndiaye is recorded in the oral histories of the Wolof and Serer peoples. Although the exact dates of his reign are unknown, he founded the Ndiaye dynasty that ruled Jolof until the 19th century. His epic says he grew up In what is now the Bakel Department of Senegal, as the son of Fatumata Sall, the daughter of a local chief. His father is variously named Abu Darday, Bubakar Omar and Boukar Ndiaye. According to the legend, when his mother remarried following her husband's death, Ndiadiane left his home and travelled, via the Senegal River, to Waalo, where his ability to make good judgements led to the people appointing him their leader. After ruling the Waalo for 16 years, he founded the Jolof Empire by peaceful means. On his death, the empire passed to his son, Sare Ndiadiane. He is called the ancestor of the peoples of Senegal and the term Ndiadiane Ndiaye is used as a colloquial term for the country.