Khalifa is the son of an Indian businessman and an African woman. His ability to read, write, and speak German makes him highly valuable in colonial Tanzania's commercial sector. This linguistic skill leads him to work for the unscrupulous merchant Amur. He is a compassionate, well-connected man who enjoys gathering with friends to discuss local happenings.

Afiya is the younger sister of The Older Ilyas, left orphaned at a young age. After being rescued from virtual enslavement by her brother, she is taught to read and write. She possesses a quiet resilience and a strong desire to direct her own future, eventually pushing back against the patriarchal restrictions placed upon young women in her community.

Hamza is a young Tanzanian man who volunteers for the German schutztruppe to flee his difficult past. During his harsh military training, his literacy and quiet demeanor catch the attention of a German officer. Traumatized by his early life and wartime experiences, Hamza is a thoughtful dreamer who seeks a place to belong.

Asha is Amur's orphaned niece who is maneuvered out of her rightful inheritance by her uncle. Deeply pious and strongly opinionated, she manages the limited choices available to women in her society by maintaining strict control over her household. Though initially resentful and hardened by her circumstances, she shows a deep capacity for maternal care.

The Older Ilyas is Afiya's brother who ran away from his dying parents as a child and was subsequently educated by German colonizers. He strongly believes in the goodness and superiority of the military men who raised him, adopting their language and customs. This unwavering loyalty drives him to voluntarily join the askari forces as war breaks out.

The Younger Ilyas is the son of Hamza and Afiya, named in honor of his missing uncle. Much like his father, he is a quiet daydreamer who spends long periods lost in his own thoughts. He carries the lingering weight of his family's history and plays a role in uncovering the mysteries of his uncle's past.

Amur is an unscrupulous but highly successful merchant operating in the coastal town of Tanga. He works within the colonial banking system through secretive deals and bribes, utilizing Khalifa's language skills to expand his business. He is shrewd and manipulative, especially regarding his family's finances.

Nassor is Amur's son and Asha's cousin, an expert woodworker who eventually inherits his father's business empire. He capitalizes on the shifting colonial powers to build a lucrative lumber and woodworking business. Though he shares some of his father's opportunistic traits, he proves to be a practical and sometimes generous employer.

Sulemani is a master carpenter in Tanga who works for Nassor. He quickly admires his new apprentice and is particularly delighted by Hamza's ability to speak and read German.

The Lieutenant is a German officer commanding the askari forces. He singles Hamza out for his literacy and quiet nature, teaching him German and keeping him close. He represents the contradictions of the colonial mindset, viewing the Tanzanians as inferior while developing a complex personal attachment to his servant.

The Feldwebel is a German sergeant who oversees the askari recruits. He harbors a deep, irrational hatred for the African soldiers under his command and singles out Hamza for particularly cruel treatment, taking out his frustrations on the most loyal members of the troop.

Qassim is an Indian expatriate living in Tanzania. He strongly desires for his son to succeed in life, ensuring Khalifa receives an education that allows him to function successfully in the newly colonized society.

Pascal is an African Christian convert who works at the Lutheran mission in Kilemba. He acts as a bridge between the local population and the German missionaries, offering care to those injured in the conflict.