What role did the kingdom of Kaabu play in the early history of Guinea-Bissau?

The kingdom of Kaabu served as a secondary state of the Mali empire within the territory of modern-day Guinea-Bissau. As a centralized power, Kaabu was tasked with maintaining local law and order, as well as ensuring the flow of tributary goods and soldiers to the empire.1

The kingdom exerted significant control over the region, often at the expense of local agriculturalists who were forced into a subordinate relationship to meet Kaabu’s economic and military demands. During its period of ascendancy, Kaabu utilized the Fulani people as common victims in the capture of slaves for regional trade. This dynamic shifted in 1867 when the kingdom was overthrown by the Fulani.1