Bakayoko is the charismatic, self-educated intellectual leader of the Senegalese railway workers' strike. Though physically absent for much of the early narrative, his influence dictates the actions of the striking community. He dedicates himself entirely to improving the conditions of the workers, expecting absolute discipline from his followers. He often struggles to balance his massive political responsibilities with the needs of his immediate family.

Niakoro is the elderly biological mother of Bakayoko. She serves as the voice of institutional memory for her family compound, recalling the devastating toll of previous railway strikes. She feels her wisdom is increasingly ignored by the younger generation, especially as the women begin abandoning traditional domestic tasks for political engagement.

Fa Keita is a highly religious elder who resides with Bakayoko's family. Referred to as "The Old One," he serves as a voice of peace and charity within the community. He consistently preaches forgiveness and warns the younger union members against impulsive violence or vindictive behavior toward strikebreakers.

Ramatoulaye is the strong-willed matriarch of the N'Diayene compound in Dakar. She takes absolute responsibility for the survival of her extended family during the water and food shortages. When traditional methods of bartering fail, she transforms into a fierce protector willing to confront local police and her own wealthy relatives to prevent her household from starving.

N'Deye Touti is a beautiful, educated young woman living in the N'Diayene compound. Initially dismissive of African traditions like polygamy in favor of European ideals, she views herself as separate from the daily struggles of the other women. Her perspective shifts radically as she experiences the harsh realities of colonial racism.

Penda is Dieynaba's fiercely independent adopted daughter. She holds a deep contempt for men and initially lives on the margins of the community. As the strike progresses, she channels her aggressive energy into union organizing, coordinating food distribution and rallying the local women into organized protests.

Maimouna is a blind young mother who sells songs in the marketplace. Despite facing profound personal tragedies resulting from the strike violence, she remains patient and self-sacrificing. She frequently boosts the morale of the striking community through her extemporaneous singing and functions almost as a prophetic figure.

Monsieur Isnard is a corrupt French railway supervisor residing in the wealthy "Vatican" suburb of Thiès. He firmly believes he has spent his life improving the conditions of the native workers, remaining entirely oblivious to the systemic oppression he enforces. He reacts with extreme paranoia and violence when the colonial power structure is threatened.

Assitan is Bakayoko's traditionally acquiescent and unassuming wife. She maintains a modest presence within the family compound, quietly enduring the hardships of the strike. She adheres strictly to the cultural norms of subservience expected of her, performing arduous domestic labor even while weak from starvation.

Ad'jibid'ji is Assitan's biological daughter and Bakayoko's stepdaughter. She is an intelligent and fiercely curious young girl who bridges the gap between traditional culture and the modern political world. She eagerly attends union meetings with the men and constantly seeks answers to complex philosophical questions.

Mame Sofi is a strong-willed resident of the N'Diayene compound. She quickly emerges as a militant organizer among the women, fashioning homemade weapons from sand-filled bottles. She fearlessly leads street protests against the police and local authorities who threaten their household.

Houdia M'Baye is a widowed mother of nine living in the N'Diayene compound. Having lost her husband Badeane to strike-related violence, she becomes desperate to protect her children from starvation and disease. This desperation pushes her to abandon her traditional reticence and actively confront water vendors.

Dieynaba is a patient and forceful vendor who runs a compound in Thiès. She becomes a central figure of hospitality and hope, organizing the starving women when their morale drops and converting her home into a temporary infirmary for the wounded.

Doudou is a union organizer who initially feels overwhelmed by the heavy responsibilities of leadership. Through direct confrontations with corrupt railway management, he experiences profound personal growth, discovering a renewed sense of integrity and realizing he cannot be bought.

Lahbib is an active union leader who works alongside Doudou and Bakayoko to coordinate the massive strike. He handles much of the daily administrative burden and frequently communicates with Bakayoko about the urgent needs of the workers and their families.

Diara is a respected railway ticket collector who voted for the strike but subsequently broke it by returning to work. Because he actively forced native women off the trains to please management, he faces a makeshift union tribunal to answer for his betrayal.

Tiémoko is an aggressive and devoted union organizer serving as the strike commission record keeper. He leads the push to punish strikebreakers severely but struggles with internal conflict when he must prosecute his own uncle for treason against the union.

Dejean is the regional director of the railway. A harsh colonial administrator who achieved his position by cooperating with the Vichy government, he advocates starving the workers to break the strike and flatly refuses to negotiate on family allowances.

Madame Beatrice Isnard is the middle-aged, self-involved wife of Monsieur Isnard. She views the native population with intense prejudice, casually dismissing the deaths of local children, and wholly rejects the shifting social dynamics threatening her comfortable lifestyle.

Leblanc is an idealistic but socially awkward and chronically intoxicated French railway manager. An anthropology student who never quite fit into either European or African society, he secretly harbors sympathies for the starving workers.

Mabigue is an anti-strike district leader and Ramatoulaye's egocentric brother. He lacks integrity, having previously stolen his sister's inheritance, and cruelly refuses to assist his starving relatives while lavishing expensive care on his pet ram.

Sounkaré is an elderly, crippled railway watchman who has not joined the strike. Living in solitary poverty after an old workplace injury left him impotent and unmarried, he experiences devastating isolation and starvation when his usual support networks vanish during the strike.

Beaugosse is a principled and gentlemanly young union member. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the strike committee and develops a bitter jealousy toward Bakayoko, eventually leading him to resign from his union duties.

Pierrot is a young, idealistic newcomer from Europe who expresses a genuine, if naive, interest in learning about African culture and connecting with the local residents, entirely oblivious to the boiling tensions of the strike.

Magette is a railway apprentice who, left idle by the strike, initially spends his time hunting lizards with slingshots before becoming increasingly radicalized. He serves as a critical messenger between the youth and the union.

Gorgui is Dieynaba's teenage son and a railway apprentice. He and his friends begin scavenging to survive, eventually shifting from adolescent mischief to acts of property destruction against the French authorities.

Strike is Houdia M'Baye's youngest infant, named by Mame Sofi to commemorate the political struggle that claimed his father's life. His survival becomes a focal point for the women of the compound.

Vendredi is Mabigue's heavily pampered pet ram. The animal's well-fed status stands in stark contrast to the starving children of the N'Diayene compound, eventually sparking a violent confrontation when it ruins the family's meager rations.

Samba N'Doulougou is a pro-strike office worker who frequently stokes the enthusiasm of the crowd. He actively shuts down dissenting voices and encourages the men to hold the line against management.

Bachirou is an anti-strike office worker who continuously counsels caution, urging the men to consider the severe repercussions of their actions. When violence breaks out, his cowardice becomes fully apparent.