THE RIVER BETWEEN

Honia River

The river dividing the ridges of Makuyu and Kameno, whose name means "cure" or "bring back to life".

The two opposing ridges separated by the Honia River in The River Between

Makuyu and Kameno

Chege

A prominent elder and seer of Kameno, father of Waiyaki, who believes his son is destined to lead and save the Gikuyu people.

Waiyaki

The protagonist who is sent by his father Chege to Siriana mission school to learn the white man's wisdom while preserving local traditions.

Joshua

A devout Christian convert from Makuyu who strictly rejects Gikuyu rituals and forbids his family from participating in them.

Muthoni

Joshua's younger daughter who chooses to undergo traditional circumcision to become a complete Gikuyu woman, eventually dying from an infection.

Mugo wa Kibiro

The ancient Gikuyu seer who prophesied the arrival of white settlers described as people with clothes like butterflies.

Siriana

The Christian mission establishment and school where boys from the ridges go to learn reading, writing, and religion.

Kabonyi

An elder who initially converted to Christianity with Joshua, but later renounced it to return to traditional council leadership.

Nyambura

Joshua's older daughter who remains obedient to her father's Christian faith despite her close bond with her sister Muthoni.