Resumen
The term tàta is a Manding word designating a fortified political and military centre. In southern Senegal, tàta have been a key element in the articulation and conceptualization of political landscapes since at least the 13th C. In a landscape characterized by fluid political territories and changing power arrangements, tàta marked the centre of a political unit and the presence of an armed ruler. While varied in size and construction, some of these fortresses were very substantial, reaching up to 12m in height and featuring multiple rings of walls. They fulfilled both practical and symbolic functions: they were often large defensive structures, capable of resisting sieges and attacks but their very presence also indicated the existence of a state-controlled territory as opposed to a no-man's land suitable for raiding. However, despite their sturdy appearance, tàta were often relatively ephemeral structures whose existence was limited to the reign of a particular ruler. In this presentation I’ll summarise the state of affairs with regards to Kaabu’s tàta including the results of recent fieldwork.