A traditional Toraja noble's house (tongkonan) consisted of three levels: the attic, which represented the “upper world”; a central living area which was the “middle world”; and the space below the floor where domesticated animals were kept that corresponded to the “underworld.” The north-facing room was linked with the east, associated with birth, life, and abundance. The south-facing room was tied to the west, linked to decrease, the sunset, and death. A Toraja dwelling was a paradigm of the cosmos, and each cardinal direction was fraught with symbolism and meaning ritually connected to one another.

An altar (ampang bilek) was placed in the southwestern corner of the tongkonan to bless the house, its inhabitants, and lineage with continued good fortune. It also served as a divider between the worlds of the living and the dead. In Toraja, only the western side of the house was used during funeral rites, and it was from this direction that bodies would exit the house. Prior to burial, the dead were kept in a room just behind the altar. The ampang bilek not only conferred blessings, but also served as a barrier to protect the inhabitants and dwelling from any contaminating effects believed to be brought about by death.

This ampang bilek contains iconography that includes mythic snakes, sacrificial buffalo and pigs, and human figures.