Guimba the Tyrant rules the kingdom of Sitikali, an exotic Saharan city of mud palaces and winding streets. He executes or banishes every opponent and indulges his son Janguine, a mean-spirited dwarf whom he is instructing in the politics of power. Janguine, however, is far more interested in bedding as many voluptuous women as possible. Since birth, Kani Coulibaly has been promised to Janguine. Kani has grown into a beautiful, fiery young woman, yet no suitor dares to present himself for fear of Guimba's wrath. During a courtship visit to Kani, Janguine becomes obsessed with Meya, the mother of his fiancee, and decides that he wants to marry her instead. Guimba foolishly agrees to Janguine's request and banishes Meya's husband Mambi after he refuses to divorce her. Now Janguine will have Meya and Guimba will take Kani for himself. The people of Sitikali are outraged by this turn of events, and Mambi finds refuge among a community of hunters who organize a revolt against the tyrant.