This ferocious looking figure is actually a benevolent guardian protecting the village from harm. It has demonic features of protruding fangs and bared teeth, meant to frighten away malicious spirits. Called hampatong, such figures represented ancestors, or human and animal spirits enlisted by shaman. They were placed at village parameters, around the longhouse, or beside a path leading to the nearby river. The face, with its long, reptilian tongue and deep-set penetrating eyes has an 'aso' (protective dragon/dog figure) head protruding from the back of the cranium. It holds a crocodile in its hands, possibly referring to the goddess, or spirit, of the river.
