Mariama and her blind son Bilaly are shunned by their neighbors. When Mariama rescues an albino man, Samba, from drowning, she discovers that he is a healer and can cure her son's blindness. In order for him to do this, Mariama must commit incest with Bilaly.
An African mother will do just about anything to protect her child. Bilaly is a simple peasant who is blind. He wants to "know" a woman before he dies, but try as his mother might, she cannot find someone to oblige. She finally gets an idea - an idea that completely stuns the village.