[3] Pushed by an expansionist Jolof Empire, he led his clan along with several others on a long emigration across the Senegal towards the land of Guidimakha, establishing a state known as Futa Kingui.
From this base, Tenguella exerted a powerful attraction to oppressed Fula people in the rest of the region, militarily intervening in a number of areas and disrupting trade.
Contemporary Muslim sources call him a false prophet, likely referring his syncreticization of Islam with the traditional Fula religion, as represented by his use of the title 'silatigi'.
By 1490 Tenguella's actions in the upper Gambia river basin were threatening the communication lines between the Mali Empire and their western provinces of Kaabu.
[8] The rising Songhai Empire were thus confronted by a power that essentially controlled the western gold trade routes and could rival them for the role of successor to Mali.
Umar Komajago, a brother of Askia Mohammad I, led a powerful force on a 2 month march through the desert, then in 1512 defeated and killed Tenguella in battle.