The setting of the ballet which calls for chorus as well is a hunting festival of the Azande tribe in central Africa. Sahdji the favorite wife of the Azande chieftain Konombju is infatuated with his nephew and successor Mrabo. While Konombju is away on a hunting expedition Sahdji and Mrabo betray him; a few hours later at sunset the hunters return carrying Konombju`s body he has been killed on the expedition. According to tribal custom the favorite wife of the chieftain must take her life when her husband dies. Sahdji torn between her loyalty to the death vow and her desire for life and the love of Mrabo dances before the bier of Konombju and finally stabs herself with the sacrificial dagger.