[9] Traditional accounts among the Wolof agree that the founder of the state was the possibly mythical Ndiadiane Ndiaye (also spelled Njaajaan Njaay or Njai).

[10] Sallah writes: "Some say that Njajan was the son of Abu Darday, an Almoravid conqueror who came from Mecca to preach Islam in Senegal ...

James Searing adds that "In all versions of the myth, Njaajaan Njaay speaks his first words in Pulaar rather than Wolof, emphasizing once again his character as a stranger of noble origins.

During the relatively dry period (c. 1100–1500) the Jolof empire expanded soutwards and westwards, progressively 'Wolofizing' the ruling classes.

[17] He was also likely responsible for subduing the Mandinka states on the northern bank of the Gambia, including Niumi, Badibu, Nyani, and Wuli, as the Mali Empire declined.

[17][20][18] Jolof would also expand its control over the gold trade, conquering Gajaaga[24] and subsequently Bambuk,[25] although Jean Boulègue argues of such conquest being very unlikely.

[27] Upon Buurba Biram Njeme Eler's death, the succession was disputed between his son, Bokar Bige, and his nephew Tase Daagulen.

This conflict was, in a way, a contest between a patrilineal inheritance system (father-son) and a matrilineal one (uncle-nephew), as Biram Eler and Tase Daagulen were both members of the Jonai matrilineage.

[29] In the 1480s, Jelen, the buumi or prince, was ruling the empire in the name of his brother Birayma Kuran Kan, known in Portuguese sources as Bur Birao.

In 1513, Koli Tenguella led a strong force of Fulani and Mandinka into Futa Toro, seizing it from the Jolof and setting up his dynasty, and also destroying Namandirou.

Jolof was reduced to a kingdom; nevertheless, the title of Burba remained associated with imperial prestige and commanded nominal respect from its ancient vassals.

[30] Jolof society harbored a developed hierarchical system involving different classes of royal and non-royal nobles, free men, occupational castes, and slaves.

[10] Smiths were important to the society for their ability to make weapons of war as well as their trusted status for mediating disputes fairly.

[33] However, Islam had not dominated Wolof society until about the 19th century,[13]: 26  when the empire had long been reduced to a rump state in the form of the Kingdom of Jolof.

Moor or Jula merchants were the main carriers of trade, which was organized around weekly markets and consisted mostly of millet, salt, beans, cattle and other essentials.

[30] Although nominally the head of the entire empire, the Buurba directly controlled a relatively small portion of Jolof; Lamanes held a lot of power, and became progressively more independent as the royal family became more consumed by succession disputes.

The stresses of this political structure resulted in a very autocratic government where personal armies and wealth often superseded constitutional values.

[13]: 25 The Jolof Empire included five coastal kingdoms from north to south: Waalo, Kayor, Baol, Sine and Saloum.

[20][13]: 25  This did not always happen, however, and wars between the constituent kingdoms were common; provinces could gain or lose degrees of independence, or move from one king's control to another.