Kofi is an 11-year-old Asante boy living in Upper Kwanta in 1860. He loves swimming and feels a deep, spiritual connection to the river. At school, he struggles to balance his appreciation for Shakespeare with his resentment over being forced to abandon his native Twi language. He is naturally thoughtful and cautious, often second-guessing his abilities when faced with aggression from his peers.

Kwasi is Kofi's older brother and a prominent young man in Upper Kwanta. He possesses natural athleticism, confidence, and a lively sense of humor. He volunteers to represent his village in the Kings Festival wrestling tournament. His fearlessness makes him a role model for Kofi.

Ama is a bright, empathetic girl who grew up swimming alongside Kofi. After the death of her parents, she moved in with her uncle, working hard to earn her keep by carrying water and washing clothes. She is mature for her age, possessing a strong sense of justice and a sharp wit. She hopes to eventually teach or care for orphaned children.

Kofi Katari is Kofi's older, heavily built cousin. As the son of the mayor and the queen mother, he walks with an air of entitlement and authority. He relies on brute strength to intimidate younger children and demands respect from his peers. He specifically targets his cousin to prove his superiority.

Nana Mosi is Kofi's nearly 80-year-old grandfather. As the revered storyteller of Upper Kwanta, he holds the tribe's history and cultural legacy in his memory. He speaks in riddles, uses the game of Oware to teach strategic thinking, and heavily influences the village's moral compass.

Ebo is Kofi's energetic and fiercely loyal best friend. He is always ready with a joke or a piece of scavenged food. Ebo actively works to boost Kofi's self-esteem, arranging a high-stakes swimming race to force his friend to finally stand up to bullies.

Mr. Phillip is a local Asante man who was educated at an English missionary school. Originally named Kwaku Ansah, he returned to Upper Kwanta determined to force his people into English customs. He enforces strict rules, utilizing a cane to punish any student who speaks the native Twi language instead of English.

Papa is Kofi's father and the lead gold-digger for Upper Kwanta. He invents new tools for mining and spends long stretches away from home to secure resources for his family. He eventually begins to share the darker realities of the white men who covet their land.

Maame is Kofi's mother. She is a practical, deeply loving woman who manages the household and prepares meals like red palm oil stew. She worries constantly about her children's safety, particularly warning Kofi about swimming in the river after dark.

Esi is Kofi's youngest sister. She is a quiet presence in the household, participating in daily chores and standing with the family during the village festivals.

Afua is a young woman from a fishing village who has been imprisoned by the white colonizers. Despite having her own family torn apart, she adopts a maternal role toward the captive children. She speaks English and understands the captors' routines, using this knowledge to help the children survive.

Prince Yaw is a wrestler representing Lower Kwanta. As the son of Lower Kwanta's king, he fights with a sense of immunity, knowing his opponents are afraid to seriously injure him. He uses a flashy, acrobatic fighting style.

Bonsu is an infamous, giant wrestler who has maimed numerous opponents in the past. He relies entirely on his massive size and brute strength to overwhelm smaller fighters.

Two Fish is a captor identifiable by the tattoo of two fish eating each other on his face. Unlike the other kidnappers, he exhibits signs of conscience and questions the morality of selling fellow Africans to the white colonizers.

War Horn is a ruthless captor marked by a specific facial tattoo. He views the kidnapped boys purely as currency to be traded for muskets and rum at the white men's castle.

Crocodile is a harsh kidnapper with a crocodile tattoo on his face. He works alongside War Horn to capture and trade children, remaining indifferent to their suffering.

Owu is an extremely young, terrified boy who is kidnapped and held captive. Small and frail, he struggles to eat or keep calm in the terrifying conditions of the dungeon, relying heavily on Kofi for comfort.

Osei is a captive boy who explains the rules of the cell to Kofi. He was born with bumblefoot, a disability that makes it painful and difficult for him to walk quickly during forced marches.

Zombie is a kidnapped boy who has been completely broken by the trauma of his capture. He refuses to speak, eat, or move, staring blankly ahead as his captors force him to march.

The Governor is the white commanding officer at the coastal castle. He coldly inspects the kidnapped boys, checking their teeth and muscles as if they were livestock before approving their purchase.