Joal

Joal lies on the Petite Côte of Senegal, at the Atlantic edge of the Serer kingdom of Siin. It was an important trading port, mentioned by early Portuguese visitors and connected to the inland kingdom through African and Luso-African merchants. Ivory, hides and enslaved people passed through the coastal trade. The port’s fortunes depended on relations with local rulers as well as competition among merchants arriving by sea.