A Kingdom Preserved in Oral Tradition and Archaeology
The once-mighty Kaabu Kingdom, which thrived between the 16th and 19th centuries, has long been remembered through the stories of griots—West African oral historians who preserved its history in song. Now, archaeological excavations at Kansala, the kingdom’s former capital in present-day Guinea-Bissau, are bringing physical evidence to light, confirming many of these long-held traditions.
The Kaabu Kingdom was a dominant power in West Africa, covering regions that now belong to Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Gambia. For generations, its history was passed down through griot storytelling, keeping alive the tales of Kaabu’s rulers, battles, and cultural legacy. Now, modern archaeology is shedding new light on these narratives, aligning them with physical discoveries.
Music as a Bridge Between Past and Present
Among those deeply connected to this history is Nino Galissa, a musician and descendant of the griots who once performed for Kaabu’s last emperor. Inspired by the recent archaeological findings, Galissa composed a song that reinforces the connection between past and present. "The griots have always sung about it, but now we know it’s real," he says, highlighting how archaeology is proving the stories passed down for centuries.
His song, created as part of a research project led by the Spanish National Research Council, is more than just music—it serves as a way to communicate these discoveries to local communities, ensuring that history remains alive and relevant.
Griots: Keepers of History
In Kansala, griots have long been the primary historians of the region, using music and storytelling to pass down knowledge. They often accompany their songs with the kora, a traditional West African string instrument.
Antonio Queba Banjai, a descendant of Kaabu’s last rulers and president of the Guinea-Lanta NGO, underscores the importance of griots in preserving history. "They are the missing puzzle piece you cannot overlook," he explains, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping the region’s historical understanding.
Recognizing this, the archaeological team has worked to integrate oral history into their research, marking this excavation as the largest ever conducted in Guinea-Bissau. Lead researcher Sirio Canos-Donnay hopes this collaboration will highlight the value of local historical traditions alongside academic research. "We should respect local ways of producing and consuming history," she states, emphasizing the depth of knowledge that oral traditions provide.
Archaeology Confirms the Fall of Kaabu
Kaabu Empire circa 1625 (in purple). Credit: Wikipedia
One of the most dramatic stories told by griots is the downfall of Kaabu in the 1860s. According to legend, during a siege, the local king set off a gunpowder store, destroying much of Kansala. Archaeological evidence now supports this account, revealing physical traces of the explosion and devastation described in oral history.
Additionally, the excavation has uncovered artifacts that illustrate Kaabu’s trade connections with Europe, including Venetian beads and Dutch gin bottles. These findings provide a clearer picture of the kingdom’s economic and cultural exchanges during its height.
João Paulo Pinto, former director of Guinea-Bissau’s National Institute of Study and Research, argues that West African oral history deserves the same recognition as written records, as it provides invaluable insights into historical events.
Preserving the Legacy of Kaabu
Credit: Ricci Shryock/VOA
For Ibou Sane, the son of the Kansala site’s guardian, history is not just about the past—it continues to live in the sacred spaces where warriors once prepared for battle. The archaeological project, by merging scientific research with oral tradition, aims to ensure that Kaabu’s story remains alive for future generations.
Banjai hopes this research will shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked history of West African civilizations, giving them the recognition they deserve. By combining the power of music, oral tradition, and archaeology, the story of Kaabu continues to echo through time, connecting the past to the present.
