She · Character

Billali

An elderly Amahagger chieftain who guides the Englishmen through the caves of Kôr and serves as wary intermediary between them and the terrible Queen.

supporting

Also known as old Billali, poor Billali

First appearance: The Plain of Kôr

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Billali is the first Amahagger to treat the outsiders with something like courtesy, addressing Holly as 'my Baboon' with an affection that sits oddly beside his fear of Ayesha. He knows the ancient tunnels, the tombs of the people who came before, and the precise rituals of deference the Queen demands, and he warns Holly repeatedly to crawl and be careful. His divided loyalty, to his people's customs and to the strangers he has come to like, makes him a crucial and sympathetic guide through the novel's descent into the underworld.

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Character Web

8 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Professional

Character groups

Ancient and Reincarnated Lovers
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story’s dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate emotional and psychological peak: Ayesha’…

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Relationships

Ustane
social · ambivalent
Leo Vincey
professional · ambivalent
The Amahagger
professional · ambivalent
Ayesha
professional · ambivalent
Job
social · ambivalent
Ustane
social · ambivalent
Leo Vincey
professional · ambivalent
Ayesha
professional · ambivalent
The Amahagger
professional · ambivalent

Ustane
Billali, as a leader of the Amahagger, interacts with Ustane as a member of his tribe.
Leo Vincey
Billali acts as a guide and intermediary for Leo, showing respect while serving Ayesha's commands.
The Amahagger
Billali is the chief and leader of the Amahagger people, commanding their obedience.
Ayesha
Ayesha is Billali's queen and master, whom he serves with absolute loyalty and fear.
Job
Billali interacts with Job as a foreign servant, showing a mix of condescension and tolerance.
Ustane
Billali, as a leader of the Amahagger, interacts with Ustane as a member of his tribe.
Leo Vincey
Billali acts as a guide and intermediary for Leo, showing respect while serving Ayesha's commands.
Ayesha
Ayesha is Billali's queen and master, whom he serves with absolute loyalty and fear.
The Amahagger
Billali is the chief and leader of the Amahagger people, commanding their obedience.

Relationship notes

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In the story

Billali appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

She
Serves as an intermediary between Ayesha and the travelers, showing deference to her authority.
VI: An Early Christian Ceremony
Elderly Amahagger leader; adopts Holly as 'son,' speaks of 'She-who-must-be-obeyed' with ominous hints.
VII: Ustane Sings
Saturnine host who explains the customs and leaves to consult She.
IX: A Little Foot
Directs the binding of surviving cannibals; praises the fight; recounts a childhood story of a preserved corpse and retrieves a woman's foot.
X: Speculations
Accompanies the group as a guide; explains Amahagger customs regarding women and marriage; nearly dies in a quagmire accident.
The Plain of Kôr
Leads the caravan, explains the mountain is the home of She, and orders the blindfolding.
XII: "She"
Leads Holly to She; crawls on hands and knees into her presence; explains the attack and is forgiven.
XIII: Ayesha Unveils
Referred to as the 'white-bearded old fool' by Ayesha after he leaves.
XV: Ayesha Gives Judgment
Confirms Holly's account of the attack and later informs Holly of Ayesha's summons.
XIX: “Give Me a Black Goat!”
Accompanies the group on the cave tour and makes a grim remark to Job about death.
XX: Triumph
Dismissed by Ayesha before the confrontation.
Job Has a Presentiment
Informs Holly and Leo that Ayesha wishes to see them.
The Temple of Truth
Appears at the cave mouth with the litter and bearers, providing information about the ruins of the great city.
XXIV: Walking the Plank
Bows to Ayesha's command to wait; whispers to Holly that he'd rather not go on the expedition.
We Leap
Finds Holly and Leo after their escape; feeds and cares for them, shocked by Ayesha's death.
Over the Mountain
Watches over Holly and Leo; arranges their escape and accompanies them through the marshes out of gratitude.
Endnotes
Noted for his fear of entering the haunted city of Kôr and his reliance on Ayesha's protection.

Chapter companion notes

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