Nhamo is an 11-year-old orphan living in a remote Mozambique village with her maternal relatives. Isolated by her family's shame over her absent father, she spends her days doing chores and retreating to a secret spot in the woods. She relies on her imagination and a strong belief in the spirit world to cope with her aunt's harsh treatment. When her family arranges a forced marriage to appease a restless spirit, she decides to flee toward Zimbabwe.

Runako, referred to strictly as Mother by Nhamo, died in a leopard attack when Nhamo was three. Before marrying Proud Jongwe, she was considered beautiful and intelligent, bringing pride to her parents. Nhamo communes with her spirit via a discarded magazine cover, keeping her memory alive through secret tea parties.

Nyamasatsi is Nhamo's maternal grandmother and her only true ally in the village. Despite the rest of the family rejecting Nhamo, Grandmother treats her with kindness and shares her love of storytelling. Recognizing the danger of Nhamo's arranged marriage, she provides her granddaughter with gold nuggets and instructions to escape.

Masvita is Nhamo's cousin, the eldest daughter of Aunt Chipo and Uncle Kufa. She represents the village's ideal of a good daughter, remaining diligent and quiet. Because she possesses a stable family structure and clear future, Nhamo frequently envies her, though Masvita herself remains gentle and entirely innocent of malice.

Proud is Nhamo's absent father. He fled the village shortly after Nhamo's birth because he killed a man in a bar fight. His actions brought shame to Mother's family, turning him into a villain in the eyes of his in-laws and resulting in Nhamo's status as a village outcast.

Dr. Masuku is an unmarried academic and scientist residing in the Efifi community. She values her independence and intellectual pursuits over traditional marriage. She offers Nhamo a new perspective on female empowerment, contrasting sharply with the domestic expectations of the Mozambique village.

Aunt Chipo is Grandmother's daughter and Uncle Kufa's wife. Carrying a long-standing resentment toward her late sister Runako, she directs her bitterness at Nhamo. She constantly criticizes the girl, burdens her with chores, and actively supports the plan to offer Nhamo as a sacrifice to a vengeful spirit.

Uncle Kufa is Aunt Chipo's husband and Masvita's father. He adheres closely to the traditional social structures of the village and supports his wife's mistreatment of Nhamo. He takes the lead in consulting the local doctor and arranging Nhamo's forced marriage.

Goré is a deceased man from a neighboring family whose totem is the leopard. Proud Jongwe killed him in a fight years ago. The local doctor convinces the village that Goré's restless spirit is causing a cholera epidemic, demanding a bride as compensation.

Zororo is Goré Mtoko's brother. Nhamo's family decides to force Nhamo to marry him as a junior wife to appease Goré's angry spirit. He is known to be violent and already has three jealous wives.

Crocodile Guts is a deceased villager who left behind an old fishing boat. Nhamo takes his boat to flee the village. During her solitary journey, his spirit appears to Nhamo, providing her with company and encouragement.

Baba Joseph is an older resident of the scientific community in Efifi. He enjoys Nhamo's storytelling and takes an active interest in teaching her. He possesses a strong spiritual background and attempts ceremonies to rid Nhamo of lingering dark forces.

Dr. van Heerden is a scientist in the Efifi community. He frequently engages in energetic arguments with Dr. Masuku and Baba Joseph about marriage and society. He helps evaluate Nhamo's financial prospects when she arrives.

Joao is a Portuguese trader who operates near Nhamo's village. He and his wife enjoy Nhamo's company and express concern over her family's visit to the local witch doctor, even offering to take Nhamo in.

Rosa is Joao's wife. She cooks for Nhamo and worries about the young girl's well-being, displaying a warmth that Nhamo rarely receives from her own aunts.

Great-grandfather is Proud Jongwe's grandfather and the patriarch of Nhamo's paternal family. Unlike the rest of the Jongwe household, he accepts Nhamo warmly, taking time to teach her about her parents' history and their family totems.