At the end of the 19th century the figure stood on Masbait hill next to a sacred stone, in what was once the centre of the village of Gelanit on Kai Kecil. The name 'Werwat' is probably built up of the elements 'wer' (water) and 'wat' (stone). It was assumed the sculpture represented the first ancestor and protector of the inhabitants of Gelanit. The researchers also learned that if Werwat should be removed from its place - something Gooszen must have done in around 1912/13 - it would signify the end of Gelanit. The population would die out and the village would fall into ruin.