 During the Serer paternal and Guelowar maternal dynasties from the 15th century to 1969, nearly 50 kings have been enthroned.The kings continued to hold their court in Kahone, but the city was eclipsed commercially by neighboring Kaolack.Portuguese explorers in the 15th century referred to Saloum as the kingdom of "Borçalo", after 'Bor-ba-Saloum' (Wolof corruption for "King of Saloum" - Maad Saloum).