Laja is one of the foremost warrior-heroes of Panggau Libau and a close companion of Keling. He figures prominently in the timang gawai amat, the great invocatory chants of the Baleh Iban, as a leader of the spirit-heroes' war-parties and a model of martial courage. Like the other inhabitants of Panggau Libau he is deathless and unseen, one of the idealized heroes whose deeds the bards recount and whose presence is summoned to bless and empower the living during the major festivals.