Noohlmahl or “fool” dancers were messengers for the Hamat'sa, ran errands for them, and acted as a sort of police during the Hamat'sa series. They were violent, foolish, and nonhuman. They kept a kind of order by loudly threatening people, pushing back crowds, glaring at anyone who laughed, and throwing rocks and clubs. They were said to be under the control of the Ahlasimk spirits, who lived on a remote inland lake and hated everything calm, clean, or attractive. The chief feature of the Noohlmahl mask was an exaggerated, huge nose, and this aspect was emphasized in the pageant.