A-Tshol functions in a variety of ways. It is kept in a shrine employed for the protection of the community and for healing the sick and injured and pursues criminal offenders. Baga consultants say that a-Tshol is the creator god. On rare occasions, an a-Tshol figure is balanced on the head of a dancer to guide the dancer’s movements, while others dance in front of the a-Tshol in a state of spiritual possession.