Cudjo Lewis (Oluale Kossola): The central figure of the narrative, Cudjo is the last known survivor of the transatlantic slave trade aboard the Clotilda. He recounts his life story, from his capture in Africa by Dahomey soldiers, enslavement in America, and eventual freedom, to his struggles in Africatown. His experiences highlight themes of loss, resilience, and identity.

Zora Neale Hurston: The author and anthropologist who interviews Cudjo Lewis. She documents his oral history with sensitivity and narrative skill, preserving his voice and story for posterity.

Family Members

Abila/Seely: Cudjo’s wife, whom he meets in the United States. She shares his hardships and grief over the loss of their children. Her death deeply affects Cudjo.

Cudjo’s Children: He and Abila have six children (five sons and one daughter). Tragedy strikes repeatedly as all their children die due to illness, violence, or accidents. This profound loss shapes much of Cudjo’s later life.

Historical Figures

Tim Meaher: A plantation owner who financed the illegal voyage of the Clotilda. After emancipation, Cudjo earns land from Meaher to establish Africatown.

Captain Foster: The captain of the Clotilda, responsible for transporting enslaved Africans to America despite the ban on the transatlantic slave trade.

King of Dahomey: The ruler whose soldiers captured Kossola’s village and sold its inhabitants into slavery. He represents the complex role African leaders played in the transatlantic slave trade.

Minor Characters

Cudjo’s Parents and Grandfather: His father was a prosperous man with three wives, while his grandfather worked for their tribal king. They are part of Kossola’s cherished memories of life before enslavement.

Africatown Residents: Individuals like Ole Charlie and other freedmen who help establish Africatown, a community built by former slaves to preserve their African heritage.