A loyal, veteran Arab servant who took on Râkım's care when he was orphaned at the age of one. After the death of Râkım's mother, she dedicated her entire life to raising Râkım honestly by performing hard labor such as laundry and house cleaning. Even when Râkım grew up and started earning money, she doted on him and always monitored his upbringing. When Canan arrived at the house, she initially wanted the girl to help with housework, but eventually loved her like her own daughter. Throughout the novel, she is a traditional, pure, compassionate, and intelligent woman who establishes dominance in managing the house and is respected by everyone as 'Mother' and 'Nanny'.
She is like a legacy from Râkım's father. Râkım's widowed mother sacrificed everything she had, and when she died, Fedai Kalfa stepped into the role of both mother and father; even when offered her freedom, she completely discarded the idea of being emancipated or establishing her own home for Râkım's sake.
An elderly, aged nurse, described with traditional house clothes, a jet-black face, and cited as an Arab, who is a monument of compassion.
Canan
Haar liefdevolle metgezellin, die later tot de familie toetrad maar die zij volkomen waardig acht als aangenomen dochter.
Josephino
Haar amusante gast, over wie zij aanvankelijk argwanend was, maar die zij accepteerde toen zij diens goede bedoelingen inzag.
Râkım Efendi
Degene die zij heeft verzorgd en grootgebracht: zowel haar meester als haar kind dat haar dierbaarder is dan haar eigen leven.