In the 14th century, the
Mandinka Guelowar clan migrated from Kaabu northwards after losing a succession dispute. This matriclan, according to the claim advanced by Rokhaya Fall, founded a number of small chiefdoms in the area north of the
Gambia River. Fall went on to write that, the home of Kéno Mbèye, one of the Guelowar leaders, was chosen as the meeting place where any problems could be discussed, and so it was called "Filagui diobé", meaning meeting place in the
Mandinka language. This eventually became
Njoob, capital of a state called Mbey. Rokhaya Fall didn't realise that the tradition she was reporting is actually of Kina/Kin/Kon O Mev/Meo Mane (Manneh), who was a royal princess and sister of Sino-Méou and Kulaar/Koular-o-Méou Mane (and
Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh)– the three sisters and maternal ancestors of the three
Guelouar families of Saloum. In the late 15th century, Mbey and its prosperous salt works fell under the influence of a
Toucouleur marabout named Elibana. The
Siin-Siin leader
Mbegane Ndour attacked and killed him, establishing the
Serer kingdom of
Saloum and renaming the capital
Kahone, meaning 'this is the one' in
Serer. The city remained the political and religious center of Saloum for the next several centuries. Kahone was originally a far more important town than neighboring
Kaolack, but the roles have been reversed in the 20th century as Kaolack developed into a port and railroad hub. Kahone has been reduced to a sub-prefecture of Kaolack. ==Culture and Economy==