Toundi is a young man from rural Cameroon who leaves his traditional village life to work in the world of white European colonizers. He initially holds an innocent curiosity about the whites, eagerly accepting the Christian name Joseph and learning to read and write. As he moves from the Catholic mission to the Commandant's residence, he quietly observes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the society around him. He struggles to find his place, realizing he belongs to neither his old village nor the European world he serves.

Father Gilbert is a Catholic missionary priest who travels via motorcycle to tour the rural villages of Cameroon. He teaches Toundi to read and write, providing the young man with clothing and a new name. He operates with a patronizing attitude toward the local population, proudly presenting his houseboy to other Europeans as a personal success project.

The Commandant serves as the highest-ranking European official in Dangan. He maintains a harsh, authoritative demeanor that instills fear in the local population and commands deference from his white peers. He expects absolute perfection from his servants and operates his household with military strictness.

Madame is the young, exceedingly beautiful wife of the Commandant. Her presence in Dangan disrupts the social order, drawing intense admiration from the men and bitter envy from the other colonial wives. Though she initially projects a pleasant and composed exterior, she soon grows bored and restless during her husband's frequent absences.

Father Vandermayer is an assistant priest at the mission who approaches his religious duties with a punitive mindset. He openly distrusts the local population and frequently loses his temper. When preaching to the congregation in their native dialect, his poor grasp of the language results in him shouting accidental obscenities.

Sophie is a young African woman who serves as the mistress to the agricultural engineer. She openly resents her situation, as her lover degrades her in public by referring to her merely as his cook. She is highly critical of the racial double standards in Dangan and frequently discusses her desire to run away with the engineer's money.

M. Moreau directs the local prison and carries a reputation as the most intimidating white man in Dangan. He embodies the brutal enforcement of colonial rule, casually threatening violence against the native population to maintain order. He operates with a high degree of arrogance, confident that no one will challenge his authority.

The agricultural engineer is a colonial professional who travels throughout the region. He maintains a hypocritical lifestyle, keeping Sophie as a private mistress while publicly degrading her to maintain his social standing among the other Europeans.

Baklu works as the laundryman for the Commandant's household. He maintains a relaxed, carefree attitude toward his labor and frequently mocks Toundi for being overly invested in the private lives of their employers.

Kalisia is a striking, confident chambermaid who has extensive experience working for white colonials. She refuses to be intimidated by her employers and openly jokes with the other servants about the predictable behaviors of the Europeans in Dangan.

Gullet serves as the Chief of Police in Dangan. He aggressively enforces the laws of the colony, conducting violent raids on local neighborhoods and conducting brutal interrogations to extract information.

Known also as the Sergeant, Mendim me Tit is a massive African police officer who instills terror in the local residents. Despite his fearsome reputation and role within the colonial justice system, he quietly attempts to mitigate the violence inflicted upon prisoners when his superiors look away.

Oyono is a man from the Cameroons taking temporary refuge in Spanish Guinea to avoid conflicts with white colonials. He possesses a deep empathy for his countrymen and ultimately takes on the responsibility of translating the exercise books left behind by a dying traveler.

Anton is a Spaniard living in Spanish Guinea who provides safe harbor for Oyono. He acts as a hospitable and attentive host, accompanying his guest into the night to investigate the sound of mourning drums.

M. Janopoulos owns and operates the exclusive European Club in Dangan. He holds an intense hatred for the native population and frequently entertains his white patrons by setting his large, aggressive dogs on any Africans who come too close to the property.