Original subtitles

Push! Push guys, harder!

Mercenaire has arrived. Mercenaire has arrived.

My greetings, ladies!

Mother Coll�! Mother Coll�!

God! What is it?

Mother, what is it?

Do not beat them. Look at their clothes,

they've deserted the excision.

Quick, call your mother Adjaratou.

Mother Diattou. Mother Diattou.

- What is it? - My mom's asking for you.

What's going on?

- They've run away from purification. - My god!

What is this early morning drum announcing?

- Bathily. - Traor�.

- Good morning. - Bathily.

We were also wondering about the drum.

They are looking for something. It sounds rather serious.

They are looking for human beings.

Not one or two people. Six people are missing.

- Greetings, ladies. - Did you have a good night?

- Cir�, ready? - Yes, all set.

First wife, we are ready to depart.

- May you have a safe journey. - Amen.

- May you return safely to us. - Amen.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Stand up.

Mother Coll�,

we are requesting your protection.

We do not wish to be cut.

My elder, if you grant them protection,

it will be said you inspired them.

Mother, do not deny them.

One cannot deny someone protection.

Allah willing, tomorrow, I will make their case public.

Tomorrow?

The moolaade will have started.

Amsatou, have them change clothes.

- Follow me. - I am going to the well.

Mercenaire. Mercenaire.

Hey, Sanata.

Good morning, Mercenaire!

Greetings, ladies!

Come and see my inventory.

Hey, Sanata, I brought beautiful things.

Nice clothes for the purified girls. I also have bread.

Greetings, Mercenaire.

- Hey, Coll�, good morning. - Morning.

Mercenaire,

keep three kilos of bread for me.

It is as if you already have them in your belly.

- You do smell great, don't you? - You naughty.

You are troubling for the mind.

Mercenaire, you are a womaniser.

Can I help you? How much bread?

One and a half kilos.

A kilo...

and a half.

Patience.

Sweet for the kids.

Goodbye, fellow.

Thanks, sister.

Here, some sweets.

Next in line.

Woman, candies for your kids.

Thanks.

- Amsatou. - Yes.

Mercenaire is in town.

Go buy 5kg of bread and batteries for the radio.

I am on my way.

Oumy.

Awa.

Nafissatou.

Do not step out. Wait.

Come closer.

See this rope? You will only cross it with my permission.

Neither can I dismiss you from the house before the end of the moolaade.

This -

whoever breaks that law will be killed by the moolaade.

- Hear me? - We do.

Now, let's go back in.

- So, Amsatou.

- Mercenaire.

You don't stop growing. Anything you desire?

Five kilos of bread and radio batteries.

Coming up. Come see.

Two.

Five kilos.

Let me do the wrapping.

- Voil�. - Mercenaire, good morning.

Amsatou, do not move.

Wait.

Anything, beautiful?

A razor blade.

Here.

State of the art.

Very flexible.

- Your money. - Please, allow me to do the giving. Here.

Say, could you come see me tonight?

God, someone is lucky.

You people my dreams.

I am out of here, you womaniser.

Amsatou, seen anything you like? Like this one?

Look. The latest fashion,

and a perfect fit. Buy it.

I am penniless.

Not to worry, come back tonight.

The money I don't have now, how can I have it tonight?

Amsatou, I'll ask to have you as wife.

Marriage? I am already taken.

I'll triple your bride price.

My fianc� is richer than you are. He works in Paris, France.

You are nothing but a mercenary.

Do you know that word means?

Mercenaries are people who kill women, children,

and they also do coup d'�tats.

See, I too do listen to the radio.

You sure are a smart cookie.

So long,

Mercenaire.

Doucour�. Doucour�.

- Bathily. - Good morning.

Amsatou, your future husband should arrive soon.

You will hand him the welcoming water. Look your best, and see you soon.

Dougoutigui.

Doucour�. Welcome.

- What can I do for you? - We want batteries.

- It is for a radio? - lndeed.

I have both local and French-made batteries.

The French are more durable,

but they also cost more.

Go for the French. We want to listen to the recital of the Koran.

I also have children's clothing,

kitchen utensils, and much more.

What about you, Dougoutigui?

I want batteries and 30 kilos of bread.

My son arrives soon from France, he'll pay you.

- I'll send someone to pick them up. - Very well, Dougoutigui.

I heard the drum this dawn.

- It's about the girls' purification. - Allah be praised, a minor domestic issue.

This one is good. Hand me another one.

Worthless.

Good. Some music now, shall we?

Mother, the bread and the batteries.

Mother, Mercenaire brought beautiful clothes.

They are very expensive, Amsatou.

It's my duty to welcome the guest.

I am penniless. Wait for your father's return.

- What if someone buys what I want? - What if Mercenaire had not arrived?

I saw beautiful things at Mercenaire's, and l have been assigned to welcome the guest.

Good news. Let's go.

- Coll�. - Yes.

We are going to Mercenaire's.

Her fianc� is on his way. She is to present him the welcoming water.

Coming back from France. Besides, marriage is a serious issue.

Why did you choose to come to me for protection?

Nafi?

Six of us wanted to go to the city,

but we do not have any connection. You are our last resort.

The two others went a different way.

You mean six of you deserted the purification?

How did you get the idea?

Oumy?

We were told you refused to have your daughter cut.

Now you are our only lifeline.

Oumy, there is too much gossip at the well.

You should know that purification is one thing,

and moolaade a different thing.

Diattou, what about you?

My older sister died of the purification. That's why I don't want to get cut.

Awa?

Mother, you did not have Amsatou cut.

Her fianc� in France is the son of the Dougoutigui.

He is bringing back a lot of money and he is going to marry her.

Diattou?

Is it true that a bilakoro cannot have children?

That is not true.

Coll�, we went and took the things, on credit.

Her fianc� will pay when he gets here.

When he arrives from France, he'll pay.

Kids, take these things inside.

Take all of it.

Go with them.

Coll�, you've started the moolaade.

Are you aware of the responsibilities?

Elder, it is a question of life and death.

I won't add a word.

Mother, the salindana are here, mother.

Mother Diattou, they are on us, dear.

You take this.

Coll� Ardo, seven years ago, you refused to have your daughter purified.

I purified you, along with Seynabou, Binetou,

Salba, Coumba and Binetou.

Why do you oppose the purification of these children?

Truth be told,

you cut me and stitched me twice.

Twice,

and you also buried my two children.

When my Amsatou was being born,

the woman doctor opened me up to here to let her out.

These children requested protection. They'll get it.

What are you talking about?

Who put them under your care?

You want our daughters to remain a bilakoro like your Amsatou.

Hey, Coll�!

During our purification you were the only disgraced girl to cry. You peed too.

Whoever crosses this rope

will be punished by the moolaade.

Oumy, Diattou, Awa, Nafi,

if you want to be cut cross this rope.

- Diattou, Diattou come here.

- I don't want to.

Do come, you won't be purified.

Diattou, come here, bastard.

You will never get a husband.

Coll�, it's you who manipulates them.

I do not wish to be cut.

- Me neither. - We don't want to.

Coll�, have you seen my child?

I only know of these four.

Mom, let's go find our children.

For each child you received 1 0,000 CFA and imported bar soap.

Ardo, you are too subversive.

I will have to neutralise your powers.

Niassi, Salba, Binetou, Senebou,

under my protection your children will be safe.

Now, let's go find the two missing children.

- Good morning, Mother. - Bathily.

- How is the farm? - I praise Allah.

Nothing serious. The salindana did complain.

- Send them back the children. - Never!

They have not committed any crime.

Mother, the salindana

will cast a spell on them.

Go tell your mother Coll�, the children are under her care.

You know she's a mad woman.

She manipulates them. She refused to have Amsatou purified.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Thank you.

Didn't she refuse?

End of conversation.

- Why is she crying? - She is not able to pee.

With your pinkie covered with Karite butter, remove the clot.

Do not drive in your finger.

Take off their loincloth.

Quick on your feet.

Quick. Follow me.

Form a circle.

Spread your legs. You have to open up.

Now jump. Jump. Now jump. Jump.

Now jump. Jump. Now jump. Jump.

Hand me my bag.

Thank you.

Now this has become a contentious issue.

The two missing girls escaped to the city.

Seven years ago,

Coll� Ardo refused to have her daughter purified.

Now she is harbouring four girls in her house to keep them from purification.

She things her powers greater than ours.

She wants us to give up our knives.

Should we give in?

Let's request a meeting with the Dougoutigui.

Coll� is challenging us.

I will destroy her powers.

- Balla is rather early today. - What was he saying about the girls?

What does he intend?

Is he about to snatch them from me?

My conversation with my son is none of your business.

And don't you ever raise your voice when talking to me. Be back to your quarters.

Welcome, all.

You the noteworthy, welcome.

Hail, Doucour�. Bathily.

You, K�mo, I salute you.

You dignitaries, I welcome you.

Women give birth to kings.

They give birth to the poor.

They also give birth to the valiant. I salute you, women.

Like a man, a valiant woman

deserves to wear the pants.

Dougoutigui, K�mo, dignitaries.

The salindana wish to be heard.

We shall hear them.

Purification is a tradition none ever questioned.

Seven years ago,

Coll� Ardo had refused to have her daughter purified.

- Say who? - Coll� Ardo Gallo Sy.

Your younger brother's second wife.

My brother is out of town.

I give you permission to get the girls and to purify them.

Dougoutigui, may I speak?

You may.

Dean of the salindana,

did you have some girls escape?

We are still looking for them.

Haven't you heard what Amath just said?

His younger brother is not here.

He gives you permission to get hold of the girls.

No one ever married a bilakoro.

Never, ever.

We cannot get hold of them. Coll� Ardo granted them the moolaade.

Oh, Lord!

Kawako!

Moolaade, you are in this anthill...

that embodies our first king, Y�rim Dethi� Kod� Ndiak.

His people rebelled and he was transformed into this anthill.

He had offended the moolaade.

Kalfa!

His rebellious subjects killed him.

After he was buried here,

his body was swollen and...

transformed into his anthill.

Years later,

our ancestors converted to lslam.

To Allah they erected this mosque

next to the tomb of the first king.

None can transgress the moolaade.

Its sprit is formidable.

To calm its spirit

one needs to shed blood.

Eskey. Eskey.

That's all I had to say.

Coll� Ardo is challenging our traditions.

Seven years ago, she refused to have her daughter purified.

Will you men then marry bilakoro women?

- Never! - Hell no.

- Amath Bathily. - Yes.

Hear this. My son is not going to marry a bilakoro.

Dougoutigui, take it easy.

There still is a way to purify all these girls.

Isn't your son arriving in two days?

Ifwe purify then, including Amsatou,

your son will have to wait only 1 5 days.

1 5 days? That's too long to keep an erection!

Silence, please.

As long as Coll� Ardo has not uttered the word,

no one will be able to take the girls away from her quarters.

- K�mo Ti�coura. - Yes.

Our ancestors offer a way out.

A husband has unlimited powers.

He may demand his wife to utter the redemptive word.

This has to be done publicly to bring an end to the moolaade.

K�mo Ansoumana,

thank you for your wisdom.

I understand what you are suggesting.

Ladies, you may leave.

The Dougoutigui excuses you.

You'll be informed of his decision.

Mama Coll�, help!

Kawako, they are like vultures that smell blood.

They took their case to the Dougoutigui.

Elder, I am scared of their curse.

The girls are not under your care.

Shut up or I'll kick your ass!

Do not touch her. She has my protection.

You are not crazy after all.

She still has respect for me.

- Good morning, brother-in-law. - Good morning.

- Bathily. - Traor�.

- Bathily. - Bah.

Our husband has been away for a long time.

Not to worry.

You know how meticulous he is.

In his absence, Coll�...

Hold on. Wait for her to be here.

Wait here.

On my way.

Let's go in.

- Your co-wife has bad manners. - Uncle is right.

Purification dates back long ago,

and she wants to challenge it. No, over my dead body.

Elder, I do not want to be burnt

by the fire Coll� has started.

Shut up and go back to your quarters.

Here he is. He has arrived.

- Alima, are you ready? - Let's go.

You are not coming to be welcome party?

Sorry, I am too busy.

Go in peace.

People, admire the valiant.

Admire the son of the lion.

Doucour�, proud heir to your ancestors.

Heir to the throne,

the people salute you.

Doucour�, Doucour�, the generous.

Doucour�, here is your brave son. He arrives from France.

He 's coming to get married.

Doucour�, they also hail you as Ciss�, Sylla, Touncara.

Doucour�, descendent of Segou. Your origins are in nine Soninke villages.

Women, the heir to Alpha Doucour� is back with us.

He is tall, strong, and as handsome as the rising sun.

- Good morning, Mother. - Good morning, son.

Thank you.

Folks of Djerisso.

Our good Dougoutigui's son is back from France.

Come all and welcome him.

The blessed son is back from France.

Let us be reminded that everything has its time and place.

Mother.

Why didn't you have me purified?

I would have given lbrahima Doucour�. The welcoming water.

Allah is great.

Feel no shame in being bilakoro. Hear me?

Nafissatou, I am speaking for you too.

Your two older sisters died before birth.

You owe your life to your doctor namesake.

She tore me apart to deliver you.

Genital mutilation is a bad thing. A bilakoro is a good wife,

a good mother.

Look at all these goodies. He must've brought back all the wealth of France.

What a worthy man.

Rich.

- Bad, we are already old. - I would be stalking him.

- Doucour�. - Greetings.

- You are Aunt Khardjatou? - Yes, I am.

I cannot forget you.

As a child,

I used to steal from your cornfield.

What a good memory!

Meet my husband's third wife.

- What about Auntie Coll� Ardo? - Amsatou and her mother send greetings.

I'll come and visit them.

Welcome back.

What's happening?

The two missing girls threw themselves in the well.

- lbrahima, go have a rest. - Yes, Mom.

Dougoutigui, the girls threw themselves in the well.

- Oh, my God. - Allah is great.

Tomorrowwe'll fill it in.

Our emissaries are back.

The women should not be allowed to listen to the radio.

All their radios should be confiscated.

What to do now?

Amath, speak to Cir�, your brother.

Coll� is at the roots of the moolaade and of the two girls' suicide.

I do understand.

Cir�, welcome back.

Bathily, did you have a nice trip?

Welcome back both.

Cir�, in your absence,

Coll� gave asylum to four girls in your house to shield them from purification.

I witnessed it.

Cir�, Dougoutigui wants you to know,

his son cannot marry your daughter.

- And why? - Because she is a bilakoro.

She has to be purified. Coll�'s radio should be confiscated.

- Confiscate her radio? - Absolutely.

Hamsatou, her daughter's namesake, gave it to her.

What about your authority?

Tell Dougoutigui we brought back good crops.

We are listening to you, our children's father.

You may listen, but then you do what you please.

How come as a first wife you allowed Coll� to keep the children?

You went against my authority.

We did not mean to.

If, in your absence, I'd told Coll� to give up the girls,

it would be said in your absence I denied young girls a needed protection.

You should've expelled them.

Out of here!

- Coll�. - Yes.

Do come back.

Down to the floor.

Coll�,

1 8 years of marriage, only one daughter.

You are my favourite wife.

You refused to have our daughter purified.

I did not object.

Now you want all girls to remain bilakoro.

You have climbed over my head, I did not object,

and now you want to shit on my head.

Coll�,

tomorrow morning,

you will utter the word that ends the moolaade.

Amsatou and all the other girls shall be purified.

And one more thing.

This radio, this damned radio,

I no longer want to hear it in my house.

Hear me?

May I be excused?

The village is silent. Like a graveyard.

I heard the men confiscated all the women's radios.

All this was cooked up by Amath.

I never liked him.

I am really worried about Amsatou.

She asked me why I did not have her cut.

Since she learned that Doucour�'s son is not going to marry her,

she has been disappointed.

Now she hangs a lot around Mercenaire. I do not like that guy.

You do not know that fellow.

He's worst than a goat, always around women.

Womanising all the time.

I know a magic potion that will reduce his craving.

Elder, hand some to Amsatou's father.

Yes, he needs it.

Amsatou's father has decided to make me say the redemptive word

to ward off the spell.

Do not utter it. It is dangerous.

The moolaade is unforgiving.

Years ago two wives died from it.

Keep the girls here.

Elder, I do not understand you.

You do not, do you?

But I am on your side.

I often lie to protect you.