Pigeon English Characters

Papa is Harri’s father. He still lives in Accra, where he owns a shop. Although he only appears in flashbacks and on the phone, it is clear that he is a kind and loving father and a positive role model for Harri.

Vilis is a Latvian boy in Harri’s school who is very racist and taunts Harri for being African. Vilis’ incessant bullying is what makes Harri initially consider joining the Dell Farm Crew.

Agnes is Harri’s baby sister. She stays in Accra when Harri moves to London because Mamma works too much to be able to take care of her. Instead, Grandma Ama looks after her. Agnes develops a fever, which Harri worries is going to kill her, but she soon recovers.

Grandma Ama is Harri’s grandmother. She takes care of Agnes in Ghana after Harri, Mamma, and Lydia move to London.

Mamma is Harri’s mother and Auntie Sonia’s sister or sister-in-law. She is a midwife and works long shifts, often at night. She is very religious and fairly conservative.

Pastor Taylor is the pastor of Harri’s church in London.

Manik is one of Harri’s friends from school. Manik used to be bullied but has been protected ever since Manik’s papa stepped in and began walking him to and from school.

Manik’s papa walks Harri and Manik to school and teaches Harri to tie his uniform tie on Harri’s first day of school.

Dizzy is a member of the Dell Farm Crew and student at Harri’s school.

Clipz is a member of the Dell Farm Crew and student at Harri’s school.

Terry Takeaway is a local character who earns his nickname because he is constantly stealing. Despite this criminality and the fact that he is an alcoholic, he is a good-natured, comic character who Harri considers a friend. Terry has a dog named Asbo, whom Harri likes.

Mr. Tomlin is Harri’s science teacher. Harri adores him because he is funny, charming, and intelligent.

Jordan’s mom is white and has a tattoo, which Harri thinks makes her a tutufo.

Grandpa Solomon is Harri’s late grandfather. Harri imagines him playing rock, paper, scissors with Jesus in heaven.

The female cop is a policewoman who investigates the murder of the dead boy. Harri is shocked by the fact that she is a woman.

Kyle Barnes is a kid in Harri’s school who teaches Harri the “dirty finger trick,” which means giving people the finger.

Brayden Campbell is a student at Harri’s school.

Nathan Boyd is known as the bravest kid in Year 7 because he always accepts dares, even once accepting a dare to lick a “crack spoon.”

Abena was Lydia’s best friend back in Ghana. Harri admits that he was in love with Abena for “one day,” but that he stopped loving her because she was “very stupid.” Abena wanted to be obruni and attempted to whiten her skin using soap flakes.

Chicken Joe is the owner of the local chicken shop, which is named after him.

Kwadwo was Harri’s barber back in Ghana.

Mario is Harri’s barber in London. Harri doesn’t like him because he is grumpy.

Daniel Bevan is a student in Harri’s school who has asthma. He promises to donate his book collection to Harri if Daniel dies before Harri does.

The chair car lady is a local disabled woman who rides a mobility scooter, which Harri calls a “chair car.” Harri claims that she requires the scooter because she is “too fat to walk.”

Jesus is a local character who rollerblades around the neighborhood. He earned his nickname because of his long hair and beard.

Nish is a local Pakistani man who sells meat at the market. He is arrested by immigration police.

Nish’s wife is also arrested and taken away by immigration police, along with her husband.

The local butcher in Harri’s neighborhood.