[2] Hantu Air is associated with bad things happening to people including missing persons, drowning, flooding and many other incidents.
[3] The civilization of Maritime Southeast Asia believed that the well-being and success of humans was dependent on the spirits which inhabited the environment.
Superstitions arising among the locals tell of this evil spirit dwelling in watery places where it sometimes disguises itself as an old tree trunk, a beautiful lady, fish or other animals in order to lure people into its trap.
[8] Expert fishermen perform rituals as a type of humble communication with the sea spirits asking to guide them to locations with an abundance of fish.
[2] In other instances, navigators have been known to stand on the bow of their ship and call on the sea spirits for assistance and guidance when in treacherous or rocky waters.
Specifically in Maritime Southeast Asia, rice-fields were the main crop source and needed a plentiful amount of irrigation to support the inhabitants.
[1] If the Hantu Air feels threatened by the sailors and fishermen, signs will be shown through of lack of fish or deadly seas storms.
In extreme cases, Hantu Air is believed to disguise itself as a creature of the sea and drown the people invading its space.