Tiramakhan Traore Conquers Kaabu (Mande)
General Tiramakhan Traore, Sundiata Keita's greatest military commander, was sent to conquer the Senegambia region after the king of Jolof insulted Sundiata by confiscating his horses and sending him a skin to make shoes. Tiramakhan marched his army through the Gambia River valley, defeating kingdom after kingdom. The greatest battle was against King Kikikor of the Bainuk people in Kaabu (Guinea-Bissau). Kikikor was a powerful sorcerer who could turn into a beast, but Tiramakhan was protected by his Mandinka gris-gris (protective charms). After a fierce battle, Tiramakhan killed Kikikor with a