As civil war and oppressive military rule tear his country apart, a young man defends the dignity of his people in this tale of hardship, perseverance, and hope.

In the jungle of Burma, a tribe of the Zomi ethnic group lives modestly and peacefully. Thazama is a young, intrepid Zomi who loves hunting and playing games with his friend Moonpi and is secretly in love with the beautiful Kim. But the Burmese revolution of 1988 and the ensuing bloodbath changes everything, making them hostages in their own country. Military forces impose themselves on the people, demanding food and rations, men and women, many of whom will never return. Thazama knows that his destiny is to fight for freedom, and, along with Moonpi, he passes his initiation into adulthood and is given a tattoo of the tiger, symbol of independence and resistance.

The two young heroes leave their mountain home and head to the great city of Mandalay, but Thazama himself is on a road of no return. He is set to begin a harrowing journey through Southeast Asia from country to country, further and further from his home.