# Omar el Badavi — An Outcast of the Islands character guide

> Omar el Badavi in An Outcast of the Islands by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the blind Omar el Badavi, Omar, old Omar, Tuan Omar, Omar besar

**First appearance:** 0003-an-outcast-of-the-islands

## Snapshot

A blind old Arab sea-rover living out his last days by a fire in the forest, father to Aissa and keeper of old grudges.

## Who they are

Omar el Badavi was once a rover of the islands and now sits blind and venerable in the settlement, his daughter Aissa tending him while Arab traders like Abdulla pass through his enclosure. He is a figure of remembered violence and present dependence, his authority reduced to the weight of his name and the loyalty of his household. His presence ties the novel's Malay and Arab factions to an older, harder world of sea-raiding that the new trade is quietly replacing.

## Relationships

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi)

_family_

Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi.

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi)

_family_

Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi.

### [Babalatchi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/babalatchi)

_family_

Babalatchi is the loyal and protective adopted son or close retainer of the blind and aging Omar el Badavi.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-i-v)

The blind former pirate leader, now dependent on Babalatchi and his daughter Aissa after a devastating defeat by white men.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Blind and infirm, he lies on his carpet, moaning feebly, tormented by the commotion and unable to rise.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

The blind old warrior, mentioned as being visited by Abdulla and Babalatchi, and connected to the plot through his household.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Present in the hut with Abdulla, his weak moans and querulous exclamations indicate his frail condition.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-v)

Mentioned as having urged Abdulla to kill Willems, but is overruled.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Blind and determined, he attempts to kill Willems with a kriss, driven by hate and a desire for revenge, but is subdued by Aissa.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-i)

Recently deceased; his death is a source of grief for Babalatchi, who recalls the pirate's fierce spirit.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Recently deceased; his unquiet spirit is invoked by Babalatchi, who regrets his role in Omar's death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters/omar_el_badavi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outcast_of_the_islands_se/characters