Bringing 15th-century Africa--before the arrival of colonizers--to rich, colorful life, chronicling the exploits of legendary Yoruba king Sango, ruler of the Oyo empire: his ascension to the throne, his battles with the Olowu and his own war generals, his dangerous experimentations with potent charms, and his ultimate deification.

An African dictator (Wole Soyinka) needs to convince the former king (Rashidi Onikoyi) to legitimize his reign by offering him the ceremonial yam at the upcoming harvest festival.