Ousmane Gueye
A Muslim man living in Senegal, a rural African nation. He falls in love with the daughter French diplomats in town for political reasons.
Mireille
The daughter of French politicians who falls in love with a native Sengalese man during a trip to Senegal with family. Her parents seriously oppose the young girl's romance with Ousmane.
Ouleymatou
A childhood friend of Ousmane, and a romantic interest. She marries Ousmane as his second wife, to the horror of Mireille.
Djibril and Yaye
Father and mother of Ousmane who pressure him into taking a native wife instead of his French girlfriend.