Ramatoulaye is a devout Senegalese Muslim woman and a teacher who has recently been widowed. She is the mother of twelve children and spends her isolation processing the emotional fallout of her husband's earlier decision to take a second wife. Though generous and thoughtful, she possesses a rebellious streak and firmly believes in education and female empowerment within her changing society.

Aissatou is Ramatoulaye's outspoken, direct best friend. The daughter of a humble goldsmith, she defies caste traditions by marrying into an aristocratic family. She works as a teacher before eventually taking a position at the Senegalese Embassy in the US. She serves as an emotional anchor and source of constant encouragement for Ramatoulaye.

Modou is Ramatoulaye's husband, a tall, athletically built man who studied law in France before becoming a prominent figure in the local trade union. Initially a romantic and tender partner, his choices later in life fracture his family and severely test Ramatoulaye's devotion.

Mawdo is a successful local doctor descended from a prominent, royal Senegalese family. He deeply loves Aissatou and defends their marriage against his family's class prejudices. However, he remains heavily influenced by his traditional mother, creating severe tension in his personal life.

Aunty Nabou is Mawdo's mother and a proud descendant of Senegalese royalty. Snobbish and highly traditional, she believes women do not need extensive education and firmly objects to her son's marriage to a goldsmith's daughter. She actively schemes to preserve her family's royal lineage and exert control over her son's household.

Young Nabou is Aunty Nabou's niece and namesake. She is raised under strict, traditional control to become a midwife. Polished and obedient, she fulfills the expectations placed upon her by her adoptive mother and steps into the role she was explicitly molded for.

Binetou is a shy, beautiful young woman who goes to school with Ramatoulaye's eldest daughter, Daba. Pressured by her impoverished mother, she enters a polygamous marriage with an older man to secure her family's financial future. She is presented as a victim of a system that treats young women as commodities.

Daouda Dieng is a charming, well-kept man and an early suitor of Ramatoulaye. He serves as a deputy in Senegal's National Assembly. He presents himself as progressive and frequently engages Ramatoulaye in political debates about feminism, though his personal reactions sometimes contradict his public ideals.

Young Aissatou is a responsible, caring daughter named in honor of her mother's best friend. She takes over running Ramatoulaye's household tasks. She represents the modern generation of Senegalese women, experiencing new freedoms while still seeking her mother's guidance.

Daba is Ramatoulaye and Modou's eldest daughter. Fiercely protective of her mother, she reacts with intense anger to her father's betrayals. She belongs to a newer, more egalitarian generation and boldly challenges the traditional patriarchal structures that harm her family.

Tamsir is Modou's older brother. He already has three wives whom he struggles to support financially. Entrenched in patriarchal traditions, he presumes authority over Ramatoulaye's future following his brother's passing.

Lady Mother-in-Law is Binetou's grasping, impoverished mother. She views marriage purely as a means to elevate her family's social and financial status, actively pushing her daughter into an arrangement that secures her own comfort.

The Imam is the local Islamic religious authority. He represents the traditional, patriarchal religious structure of the community, frequently accompanying Tamsir and Mawdo to deliver news and enforce cultural expectations upon women.

Ibrahima Sall, also known as Iba, is a patient and kind law student. He belongs to the modern generation of Senegalese men, demonstrating a willingness to support and respect the women in his life.

Jacqueline is a Protestant woman from the Ivory Coast who defies her parents to marry a Senegalese Muslim. Her husband's chronic infidelity causes her immense distress, serving as a cautionary tale for Ramatoulaye about the psychological toll of marital betrayal.

Samba Diack is a Senegalese Muslim man married to Jacqueline. His chronic unfaithfulness severely impacts his wife's mental health.

Farba Diouf is Aunty Nabou's brother, residing in their ancestral village. He adheres to traditional family obligations, willingly giving his daughter to his sister to be raised.

Ramatoulaye's mother is a perceptive woman who mistrusts Modou's slick demeanor. She prefers the stability and standing of Daouda Dieng, though her daughter rejects her advice.