AParisianladspendsabrief,life-changingtimewithaclanoftheImûhar,ahighdesertBerberpeople,calledTuaregsbytheFrench.Atageten,Khénan'smotherdies,andhisfatherNajem,anImûhar,bringshimfromParistoNigerafteraneightyearabsence.Khénanbondswithhisgrandfather,aclanelder,fromwhomhelearnsImûharways,withhisaunt,Tannès,whoisengagedbutfallsinlovewithamanfromanothertribe,andwithChadèma,agirlwhoserelationshiptohimisasurprise.Khénanmournshismotherinaculturethatdoesn'tmentionthedead;Hamou,theoutsider,courtsTannès;Parisisinthepastandfuture;and,thedesertisanoceanofbeautyandtrial.