# Twala — King Solomon’s Mines character guide

> Twala in King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Twala the One

**First appearance:** 0012-ix-twala-the-king

## Snapshot

The usurper king of the Kukuanas, a twin who was hidden at birth and raised to the throne through murder, famine, and the witch Gagool's words.

## Who they are

Twala rules Kukuanaland through fear, staging mass executions and relying on the ancient witch-finder Gagool to keep the people cowed. He is the twin brother of the rightful king Imotu, whom he stabbed through the heart while the people cheered, and he has spent years hunting down any trace of Imotu's surviving son. His cruelty and his grip on the throne are the political engine of the middle of the book, and his confrontation with the returning heir forces every Kukuana to choose a side.

## Relationships

### [Ignosi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/ignosi)

_rivalry_

Ignosi is the rightful heir to the throne, while Twala is the usurper king, making them bitter enemies.

### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis)

_rivalry_

Sir Henry fights against the tyrannical King Twala in support of Ignosi's claim.

### [Gagool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/gagool)

_psychological_

Gagool is the manipulative witch who controls and advises the superstitious King Twala.

### [Infadoos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/infadoos)

_rivalry_

Infadoos is secretly loyal to Ignosi and opposes the usurper Twala.

### [Ignosi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/ignosi)

_rivalry_

Ignosi is the rightful heir to the throne, while Twala is the usurper king, making them bitter enemies.

### [Infadoos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/infadoos)

_rivalry_

Infadoos is secretly loyal to Ignosi and opposes the usurper Twala.

### [Gagool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/gagool)

_psychological_

Gagool is the manipulative witch who controls and advises the superstitious King Twala.

### [Ignosi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/ignosi)

_rivalry_

Ignosi is the rightful heir to the throne, while Twala is the usurper king, making them bitter enemies.

### [Sir Henry Curtis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/sir_henry_curtis)

_rivalry_

Sir Henry fights against the tyrannical King Twala in support of Ignosi's claim.

### [Gagool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/gagool)

_psychological_

Gagool is the manipulative witch who controls and advises the superstitious King Twala.

## In the story

### [VIII: We Enter Kukuanaland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/viii-we-enter-kukuanaland)

Mentioned as the current king who usurped the throne by murdering his twin brother Imotu.

### [IX: Twala the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/ix-twala-the-king)

The one-eyed king of Kukuanaland; receives the expedition with a display of military might.

### [X: The Witch-Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/x-the-witch-hunt)

Presides over the witch-hunt, ordering executions and counting the dead.

### [XI: We Give a Sign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/xi-we-give-a-sign)

King of the Kukuanas; orders the sacrifice of the fairest girl, Foulata, citing custom and prophecy; reacts angrily to Ignosi's boldness.

### [Before the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/xii-before-the-battle)

Sends a herald with an ultimatum demanding surrender and the torture of key rebels; his forces are massing for attack.

### [The Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/xiii-the-attack)

Receives reinforcements and attempts to besiege the allied force; is the target of Ignosi's attack plan.

### [XIV: The Last Stand of the Greys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/chapters/xiv-the-last-stand-of-the-greys)

Fights Sir Henry in single combat, is wounded, and requests to die fighting.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters/twala
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_solomon_s_mines_se/characters