Guimba the Tyrant
(Guimba : un tyran, une époque)

Sitikali, a city in the Sahel, is under the yoke of a man, Guimba Dunbuya, and his
dwarf son, Janguiné. Since she was born, Kami Koulibaly is betrothed to Janguiné. To symbolize this bond, a cord was tied around the newborn’s wrist. Kani, who has grown into a lovely young woman, is highly coveted. But no suitor dares declare his love as long as Guimba maintains his reign of terror. During a courtesy call to Kani, Janguiné becomes enamored of her mother, Meya, and decides he will marry her instead. Meya refuses to divorce. To satisfy his son’s whim, Guimba banishes Meya’s lawful husband, Mambi, who takes refuge in a village of hunters. The hunters decide to organize a rebellion against the tyrant. Siriman Kaita, the hunter in charge of doing battle with Guimba, lays siege to Sitakili. The two men have a show-down at the north and south gates of the ciy…