The Healers: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Healers: Analysis of Major Characters" explores a rich tapestry of individuals within a community shaped by tradition, power struggles, and personal growth. Central to the narrative is Densu Ansa, a compassionate youth who, despite his potential as a ruler, chooses the path of healing over political ambition, seeking truth and honor amidst corruption. His mentor, Damfo, embodies wisdom and compassion, guiding individuals towards self-awareness and unity within a healing community. Contrasting with them is Ababio, a manipulative guardian who seeks power through deceit and violence, ultimately becoming a tyrannical figure.
Other pivotal characters include Araba Jesiwa, a regal yet troubled mother, who undergoes transformation through healing, and Asamoa Nkwanta, a brave general grappling with personal loss and betrayal from the royal family. The narrative also highlights Anan, a loyal friend to Densu who sacrifices himself for justice, and Ajoa, Damfo's daughter, who offers spiritual companionship. The setting is further enriched by the presence of colonial figures like Sir Garnet Wolseley and Captain Glover, whose interactions reflect the dynamics of power and race. Through these characters, the work delves into themes of healing, manipulation, and the search for identity in a time of societal upheaval.
The Healers: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ayi Kwei Armah
First published: 1978
Genre: Novella
Locale: The Asante empire area and the Cape Coast of Ghana
Plot: Historical
Time: 1873–1874
Densu Ansa (DEHN-sew AHN-sah), a leading youth of Esuano at the age of twenty, an orphan since birth. A critically reflective person, he could have won the chosen-year games of competition and could have become king-elect, but, compassionately, he refused to kill a tethered pigeon in the final shooting contest. Actually, he prefers the work of the ascetic healers to the manipulative world of the court. He escapes the machinations of his evil guardian, Ababio, who would exploit Densu as a figurehead ruler. Densu, choosing truth and honorable service, is successful in joining the community of healers.
Damfo (DAHM-foh), the leader of a community of healers in the forest and a mentor to Densu. Wise and compassionate, he aids people in seeing, hearing, and knowing themselves, as well as in understanding truly and acting truly. An enemy of manipulation, his method is inspiration. He seeks to instill unity, wholeness, and spirituality through his consultative treatments.
Ababio (ah-bah-BEE-oh), a corrupt, power-hungry court retainer whose tools are force, fraud, and deceit. As Densu's guardian, Ababio wants Densu to replace Appia in the line to the throne. Ababio, who has Appia killed, wants a straw king whom he can manipulate. Eventually, Ababio becomes the local king of Esuano of the Asante empire. Later, he is arrested for his crimes.
Araba Jesiwa (ahr-AH-bah jay-SEE-wah), the mother of the murdered crown prince, Appia. About fifty and a friend to Densu, she is beautiful and regal but compassionate. Internally, she suffers periodically from depression, which Damfo is able to treat. Childless at the age of twenty-eight, she initially consults Damfo, who leads her to see that she made the wrong choice in marriage. She breaks from her upper-class husband and happily marries the craftsman Kofi Entsua, who becomes Appia's father. Kofi Entsua dies accidentally a few years after their marriage. Araba Jesiwa is brutally maimed in the attack in which Appia is killed, and Densu, painstakingly, heals her.
Asamoa Nkwanta (ah-sah-MOH-ah ihn-KWAHN-tah), the greatest of the Asante generals, strong, dependable, and loyal to the nation. Holding the title of Osajefo, the highest title for bravery among warriors, he acquires later the greatest title among fighters: Srafo Kra, the Warriors' Soul. He suffers deep depression because his favorite nephew has been murdered treacherously by an Asante prince. Healed in mind and attitude by Damfo, Asamoa Nkwanta reunites and readies the Asante army to repel an English invasion. He is betrayed by the royal family, however, who, rather than see him emerge as a strong and influential victor, negotiate a humiliating truce with the English.
Anan (ah-NAHN), an intellectually curious companion of Densu, about Densu's age. “Seeing” (understanding where once there was ignorance) makes Anan happiest. When Densu is arrested and falsely accused of murdering Appia, Anan is instrumental in protecting and saving Densu. Anan, wounded in the escape, dies.
Ajoa (ah-JOH-ah), the wise and beautiful eighteen-year-old daughter of Damfo. When Densu was eight years old and she six, her expressive eyes drew him to her. When her parents were separated, she chose to live with her father, becoming an invaluable aide and spiritual companion to him. She and Densu are betrothed at the novel's end.
Sir Garnet Wolseley, an English general, now lame in one leg. He casts an indirect presence over the events of the action, in speaking through decrees and official statements. He has massed a tremendous force, which moves relentlessly toward a dubious victory over the Asante.
Captain Glover, a vain white freebooter who demands exaggerated deference from his black men. The Africans manipulate him by pretending to cater to his vanity. When Wolseley countermands him, Glover comes to see the buffoonery of his vainglorious pretensions.
Efua Kobri (ay-FEW-ah KOH-bree), the queen mother of the Asante, a manipulative power behind the throne. She advises her son, King Kofi Karikari, to make peace with the invading whites rather than allow Asamoa Nkwanta to resist and possibly defeat them, for then the people might elevate Asamoa Nkwanta to the throne.
Ama (AH-mah), Damfo's former wife, the mother of Ajoa. After about seven years, she grows tired of Damfo's ascetic forest life, leaves him, and returns to the town of Esuano, which has more of the commotion and festivity that suit her taste. She takes a new husband, Esuman, an apprentice healer, who accompanies her from Damfo's camp.
Nyaneba (nyah-NAY-bah), a fellow healer and friend to Damfo. With a small, neat body, she has the voice of an old woman, which she is, but the quick motions of a girl. She hosts Damfo's party in its flight from Ababio's henchmen who seek Densu's death.
Esuman (ay-SEW-man), the corrupt healer who quit the hard life in the forest to seek profit in the town of Esuano. He presides over Densu's trial-by-ordeal, involving the drinking of a poisonous potion as a test of guilt or innocence, from which Densu escapes, with Anan's help.
Appia (ahp-PEE-ah), the elected crown prince. He is twenty years old, capable, and serious-minded. As a result of winning the chosen-year athletic and mental competitions of his age group, he becomes next in line to the throne of Esuano. Ababio has him killed.
Buntui (bewn-TEW-ee), a slow-witted but powerful wrestler of Densu's age group. Becoming a thuggish lackey of Ababio, Buntui kills Appia and maims Araba Jesiwa. He eventually is hanged for theft during the English-led sack of the Asante capital of Kumase.
Collins, an irreverent, heavy-drinking white man who came to Esuano and taught Densu English when Densu was twelve years old. Collins was likely murdered, after two years in Esuano, at the instigation of Ababio and a newcomer white priest.
Warner, an arrogant, manipulative white priest who came to Esuano when Densu was fourteen years old. He wanted Densu as a lifetime servant, but Densu avoided this role.