The appearance of Khalifa
The physical description of Khalifa paints an image of mixed race in the early times of Tanganyika. "Khalifa did not look Indian or not the kind of Indian they were used to seeing in that part of the world. His complexion, hair, and nose favored his African mother, but he loved announcing his lineage when it suited him." The imagery shows that interracial marriages in Tanganyika started in the early centuries when Asians arrived in Tanzania. Khalifa's mother is black, while his father is Indian.
Amur Biashara
Despite Amur Biashara being a successful businessperson, Khalifa describes him as courteous and soft-spoken to paint a picture of a humble man. Khalifa says, "Amur Biashara was not difficult to work for. He was a small elegant man, always courteous and soft-spoken, and a regular and obliging member of the congregation at his local mosque." The picture of Amur Biashara shows a man of the people, welcoming, easygoing, and accommodating.
The imagery of malaria
The symptoms of Khalifa’s father show that he has contracted malaria. The narrator says, “Khalifa stayed with him for four days and knew from the symptoms that his father was very ill with malaria. He had high favor, could not keep food down, his eyes were jaundiced, and he passed red-tinted urine." The imagery shows that mosquito bites are prevalent in the estate, and they are the ones that caused malaria to Khalifa's father.
