The Sacred Loincloth
(Bamunan)

Siriman is the most prominent man of his native village, Kouloussena. He is married to the beautiful Nanyuma and they have a son. Siriman is also a cycle champion. However, as he is struck by leprosy, Siriman’s health declines as well as his economical and social position. What’s more, his wife leaves him and takes up with one of her brother’s partners who makes a fortune in drug trafficking. Siriman decides to confront his rival, who grazes his herds on Siriman’s field. He leaves for Bamako. As her second husband and brother get arrested, Nanyuma blinds herself in one eye while trying to remove bags of drugs during a search by customs officers. She becomes mad.
In Bamako, Siriman is cured and gets trained in bicycle and moped mechanics. Having fully recovered from bis illness he wins the Lepers’ Day cycle race. Siriman goes back to Kouloussena where the old Zankoro gives him his daughter Saran in marriage. Furious, Nanyuma accuses Saran of stealing her husband from her. Siriman settles the dispute firmly but fairly.