Farim

Farim was founded about 1641 by the Captain-Major of Cacheu, who recruited lançados from Geba to move to where they would be less vulnerable to attack by African tribes. The name derived from farim, the title of the local Mandinka ruler of Kaabu. For their part, the Mandinkas and Soninke called the settlement Tubabodaga ("village of the whites"). It was well-situated as a port, since the river was continuously navigable by sailing vessels from Cacheu. In 1696 the local king of Canico attacked the Luso-African settlement at Farim, but was repulsed and eventually captured. The Captain-Major of Cacheu led a force of Papel and Balanta troops to destroy nearby villages and fortify the town, officially making it a presídio (garrisoned place) though an order dated 10 November 1696. Under diplomatic pressure from the Mansa of Kaabu, however, he released the king of Canico.