Anowa is a beautiful and headstrong young woman from the Ghanaian village of Yebi. She actively rejects the suitors her mother suggests, preferring to make her own choices rather than submit to traditional marital expectations. When she meets Kofi Ako, she quickly decides to marry him and leave her village. This choice demonstrates her fierce independence and willingness to defy local customs.

Kofi Ako is a handsome and ambitious young man whose charm quickly captures Anowa's attention. Though Anowa's mother dismisses him as a lazy show-off from a line of poor husbands, Kofi eagerly pursues a relationship with Anowa. He possesses a strong entrepreneurial drive and hopes to build a prosperous life on the road with his new wife.

Badua is Anowa’s traditional and highly concerned mother. She desperately wants her daughter to follow the customary path of becoming a respectable wife and mother in Yebi. Badua feels frustrated by Anowa's stubbornness. She frequently attempts to play matchmaker and strongly opposes Anowa's impulsive choice to marry Kofi Ako.

Osam is Anowa’s father, possessing a more relaxed approach to parenting than his wife. Rather than forcing Anowa into a conventional marriage, he suspects she might be better suited to life as a dedicated priestess. He avoids interfering heavily in Anowa's choices, preferring to step back and let her forge her own path.

The Old Man is one half of the chorus-like duo known as Being-The-Mouth-That-Eats-Salt-And-Pepper. Calm, stately, and self-possessed, he offers a progressive perspective on the events unfolding in the village. He frequently reflects on personal agency and shows an open mind regarding Anowa's desire to break away from restrictive traditions.

The Old Woman is the more conservative half of the village chorus. Prone to coughing fits and constant movement, she represents strict societal views and regards Anowa's rebellious nature with deep disapproval. She believes that women should adhere strictly to customary roles and is quick to judge those who disrupt the village's harmony.