Yeelen

Yeelen

Year: 1987

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: Bambara

Director: Souleymane Cissé

Drama

A young man with magical powers journeys to his uncle to request help in fighting his sorcerer father.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Yeelen (1987)

Trace every key event in Yeelen (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Vision that spurs a deadly vow

Soma receives a terrifying vision that his son will cause his death. He resolves to kill Nianankoro and begins to set in motion a deadly pursuit. This vow sets the feud in motion and colors every later decision.

early in the story Soma's village
2

Theft of sacred fetishes and exile

Nianankoro, aided by his mother, steals several of his father's sacred fetishes and flees the village. The theft strips Soma of his protective magic and forces him to chase his son into the wider world. He leaves behind the world he once controlled, stepping into danger.

soon after Nianankoro's village outskirts
3

The enchanted pylon begins the chase

Soma follows relentlessly using an enchanted pylon that can follow Nianankoro's every move and break through barriers. The beaconed pursuit accelerates as Nianankoro wanders through uncertain roads. The chase shapes their journeys and tests their resolve.

early journey on the road between villages
4

A hyena's prophecy of greatness

Nianankoro encounters a talking hyena who prophesies that he is destined for greatness. The prophetic encounter boosts his confidence and hints at the extraordinary powers he will wield. The journey forward feels fate-bound.

early journey wild plains
5

Captured in Fula territory

While crossing into Fula territory, Nianankoro is mistaken for a thief and captured. King Rouma Boli keeps him, intrigued by the boy's magical potential. Nianankoro's display of power suggests he could become a valuable ally rather than a prisoner.

during journey Fula territory
6

Rouma Boli's offer of freedom

Rouma Boli offers Nianankoro his freedom in exchange for aiding against a rival tribe. Nianankoro agrees, and a fragile alliance forms despite lingering mistrust. The negotiation marks a turning point in both of their fates.

during captivity Rouma's kingdom
7

The ice-guard magic impresses Rouma

Nianankoro uses his magic to freeze Rouma's guards, earning the king's respect and confidence. The display confirms his value and shifts Rouma's stance toward him. Rouma then tasks him with a dangerous mission against the rival tribe.

during negotiations Rouma's court
8

Bees and fire repel the rival tribe

During the clash with the rival tribe, Nianankoro summons a swarm of bees and a raging fire to drive back the attackers. The spectacle solidifies his growing power and Rouma's gratitude. The battle becomes a showcase of his control over nature.

battle scene battle near Rouma's kingdom
9

A forbidden night of passion

That night, Nianankoro and Attou give in to their forbidden desire and sleep together. The union complicates their alliance with Rouma and foreshadows the birth of their child. They return to Rouma to confess their crime, risking everything.

that night Rouma's court
10

The prince and the queen-to-be marry and depart

After their confession, Rouma reluctantly orders them married and to leave his realm. The couple continues their travels, bearing the weight of their secret and their uncertain future. The decision propels them toward the prophetic path that awaits them.

post-confession Rouma's kingdom
11

Soma surges with power to hunt

Soma sacrifices an albino man and a wild dog to appease the gods, gaining power to pursue his son. He grows more formidable as the pursuit continues and his own magic strengthens his will to kill. The chase expands beyond borders as he closes in.

during pursuit Komo sacred lands
12

Djigui the blinded uncle and Kore's Wing

Nianankoro reaches his blinded uncle Djigui, who once used Kore's Wing for his people. Djigui gives Kore's Wing to Nianankoro and warns that their future children will form a nation born of hardship and slavery, yet destined to prosper. He tells them to prepare for the coming devastation.

before final battle Djigui's dwelling
13

Attou's pregnancy and the egg omen

Attou, pregnant with Nianankoro's child, is with Djigui as they face the looming catastrophe. Djigui specifies that their children will become a nation that endures hardship and slavery before triumph. Nianankoro takes Kore's Wing and entrusts Attou with his cloak to pass to their son. Attou seeks refuge with Djigui as the threat draws near.

before devastation Djigui's shelter
14

Final pursuit to the desert and the last stand

Reaching the final confrontation in the desert, Nianankoro and Soma unleash the power of Kore's Wing and the pylon, transforming into a lion and an elephant. A blinding wave kills them both and leaves the land transformed into endless sand. Attou and her young son arrive later, discovering two eggs and stepping into a future born from their fathers' fate.

final confrontation the desert
15

Birth and farewell in the wasteland

Attou and her son find two eggs at the site of the deaths, symbolizing a new beginning. The son takes the egg of his father, while Attou passes Kore's Wing to him for the future. They leave the desert together, carrying a fragile hope and a new lineage.

after battle desert ruin

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:38

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