# Latnah — Banjo character guide > Latnah in Banjo by Claude McKay. **Role:** major **Also known as:** theah Latnah **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-ditch ## Snapshot The first woman the beach boys ever met on the quay, she feeds them, collects for Banjo's music, and quietly holds the gang together while he takes her for granted. ## Who they are Latnah entered the vagabond circle by speaking up for hungry men to a ship's mate, and she has been provisioning and protecting them ever since. She takes up collections after Banjo plays, keeps a pillow ready at her place, and slips the boys onto her rooftop box when the mistral bites. Banjo's easy-come-easy-go indifference toward her sharpens the question of what loyalty costs in the Ditch. ## Relationships ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _romantic_ Banjo and Latnah have a passionate, complicated romance, with moments of tenderness and conflict. ### [Malty Avis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/malty_avis) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ### [Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ray) _friendship_ Latnah and Ray have a respectful, friendly dynamic, with occasional underlying tension. ### [Bugsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/bugsy) _friendship_ Bugsy and Latnah have a playful, teasing friendship, with Bugsy often lightening the mood. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _romantic_ Banjo and Latnah have a passionate, complicated romance, with moments of tenderness and conflict. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _romantic_ Banjo and Latnah have a passionate, complicated romance, with moments of tenderness and conflict. ### [Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ray) _friendship_ Latnah and Ray have a respectful, friendly dynamic, with occasional underlying tension. ### [Malty Avis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/malty_avis) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ### [Bugsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/bugsy) _friendship_ Bugsy and Latnah have a playful, teasing friendship, with Bugsy often lightening the mood. ### [Malty Avis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/malty_avis) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ### [Bugsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/bugsy) _friendship_ Bugsy and Latnah have a playful, teasing friendship, with Bugsy often lightening the mood. ### [Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ray) _friendship_ Latnah and Ray have a respectful, friendly dynamic, with occasional underlying tension. ## In the story ### [First Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/first-part) A mysterious and alluring woman who becomes part of the gang's circle, cared for by Banjo after he is injured. ### [I: The Ditch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/i-the-ditch) Mentioned as a woman who pals out with the gang, giving them cigarettes and change. She is described as knowing all languages. ### [II: The Breakwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ii-the-breakwater) Cares for Banjo, works during the day, and shows acquisitiveness when seeing the dancer's collection. ### [III: Malty Turned Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iii-malty-turned-down) Latnah is a member of the gang, accepted as a pal. She rejects Malty's advances, calling him 'Cochon,' and is upset when he pushes her. ### [IV: Hard Feeding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iv-hard-feeding) Mentioned as caring for Banjo, collecting money for him when he plays, and providing him with small change. ### [V: “Jellyroll”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/v-jellyroll) Visited the Café African once to collect sous but never returned, as she couldn't enter into the spirit of the all-Negro atmosphere. Banjo is glad she stays away. ### [Second Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/second-part) A woman who joins the gang and cares for Banjo after his injury, becoming a part of the group's dynamic. ### [VIII: A Carved Carrot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/viii-a-carved-carrot) Vexed by Malty's advances, she turns away, but her feelings for Banjo are evident. ### [XIII: Bugsy Comes Back at Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xiii-bugsy-comes-back-at-banjo) Consumed by jealousy and racial resentment after Bugsy's rumors, confronts Banjo and threatens him with a dagger. ### [XV: White Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xv-white-terror) Latnah is not mentioned in this chapter's excerpts. ### [XVII: Breaking-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xvii-breaking-up) Proposes that she, Ray, and Malty work in the vineyards to earn money. ### [Third Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/third-part) Remains a key figure in the group, her presence and actions influencing the dynamics among the men. ### [XVIII: Banjo’s Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xviii-banjo-s-return) Giggles at Banjo's coal-blackened appearance, remarking he looks good working in coal. ### [XX: The Rock of Refuge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xx-the-rock-of-refuge) Refuses to visit Banjo in the hospital, claiming he has no race pride, but she cooks the chicken for his dinner. ### [Official Fists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxi-official-fists) Cares for Bugsy after his death, tries to close his eyes, and insists on a wreath for his funeral. ### [XXIII: Shake That Thing Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiii-shake-that-thing-again) Meets Ray in the Bum Square, invites him to her place, and shares her mixed heritage and an opium ritual. ### [XXIV: The Chauffeur’s Lot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chauffeur-s-lot) Sits apart, still peeved at Banjo's departure. Rebuffs the chauffeur's advances, asserting her independence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters