The battle, which saw the town completely destroyed, ended Mandinka hegemony over Africa’s Atlantic coast begun by the Mali Empire.
Some non-Muslim Fula, pushed out of the Futa Djallon by the Torodbe, settled in Kaabu and often herded the cattle of the ruling Nyancho aristocracy.
[5] Oral histories record that before attacking Kansala the Fula leaders put several marabouts into retreat for forty days and nights.
When this marabout emerged with the announcement that he had the Kaabu Emperor in his grasp, it was the signal for the waiting Futa Jallon army to march.
According to historian Djibril Tamsir Niane, Kaabu had 25,000 soldiers, half of whom were mustered by mansaba Dianke Waali to meet the Fulani invasion at Kansala.
According to legend, Abdu Khudus, a prominent marabout from Timbo, told Alfa Molo that whichever side fired first would lose the battle.
The only cavalry casualty of the battle may have been a Mandinka named Faramba (General) Tamba of Kapentu whom marched out of Kansala with only his walking stick to drive the “haughty” Fula away.
[8] They failed to enter the city until Mansaba Waali, convinced that the sheer number of enemies was insurmountable, ordered the gates open.