At the beginning of the 20th century, in the heart of Africa, in Mali, the light of God shone on a man: Tierno Bokar, who was called the Sage of Bandiagara. Sheikh of the Tidjaniya Sufi brotherhood, he was a pure and high figure not only of Islam in black Africa, but of universal spirituality.
 His life is retraced in its places and in its political and religious context to situate the teacher's words and teachings, which are the subject of the other two parts of the work.
 Amadou Hampâté Bâ (1900-1991)
 Disciple of Tierno Bokar, writer, historian, ethnologist, he was one of the greatest specialists in African culture and traditions.