Who is Kendai from The Ear, the Eye and the Arm and what is their importance?

Tendai is the Matsika's middle child. He is described as an intellectual, who thinks things through before he acts. Between Tendai's curiosity and restlessness and Rita's boredom, enough psychic energy is provided for the three children to deliberately get lost outside of their family's compound. Tendai's curiosity tends to overrule his sense of caution, however, when he tries to pursue the ancient spiritual life of his African ancestors.