Jungle Tales of Tarzan · Character

Bukawai

An old witch doctor whose cunning and grudges make him a scheming menace to Tarzan and the village, trading in fear and dark remedies.

supporting

Also known as old Bukawai

First appearance: iv the god of tarzan

As a supporting figure in Jungle Tales of Tarzan, Bukawai is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the unclean outcast who dwells in a cave with hyenas and is known for black magic.

In the storyTarzan and the Black BoyOpen this moment free

See Bukawai in Tarzan and the Black Boy Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Old Bukawai moves through the story as a figure of suspicion and hidden malice, a man whose power rests on superstition and the willingness of others to believe in his magic. His schemes set him against Tarzan and the village, and his presence introduces a human wickedness that the jungle's honest predators never quite match. He matters because he forces Tarzan to reckon with a foe who fights with lies and ritual rather than fang and claw.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Bukawai sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Bukawai in iv the god of tarzan

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Bukawai sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Jungle Prey and Antagonists
Ape Tribe and Predators
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional/psychological peak of impending crisi…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Momaya
psychological · negative
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and… How this plays out →
Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Tibo
psychological · negative
Momaya
psychological · negative
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and… How this plays out →
Momaya
psychological · negative
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and… How this plays out →
Tibo
psychological · negative
Tarzan
rivalry · negative

Momaya
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and superstition to control her and her son Tibo.
Tarzan
Bukawai and Tarzan are enemies, with Bukawai using his dark magic and cunning to try to harm or capture Tarzan.
Tibo
Bukawai terrorizes and manipulates the young boy Tibo, using threats and superstition to control him and his mother.
Momaya
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and superstition to control her and her son Tibo.
Momaya
Bukawai, the witch doctor, manipulates and terrorizes Momaya, using his power and superstition to control her and her son Tibo.
Tibo
Bukawai terrorizes and manipulates the young boy Tibo, using threats and superstition to control him and his mother.
Tarzan
Bukawai and Tarzan are enemies, with Bukawai using his dark magic and cunning to try to harm or capture Tarzan.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Bukawai in iv the god of tarzan

In the story

Bukawai appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Bukawai unlock in the free preview.

See Bukawai in iv the god of tarzan

See Bukawai in Tarzan and the Black Boy