The osa osa was a seat of high honour for a nobleman, noblewoman or ancestor during great feasts and festivals that were celebrated by the people of Nias. The osa osa is carved in the form of a lasara – a mythical composite creature with a dragon-like head and a bird-like tail. Lasara effigies have a protective role and reinforce the power of the nobility. Osa osa are classified according to the number of heads. Those with three heads are usually reserved for clan elders while those with one are used to commemorate men who have given a great feasts.
