Harwa lived at the turn of the VIII e VII centuries bc, in an age in which Egypt was under the control of the last pharaohs of Nubian origin. It's also probable that Harwa (whose name is not Egyptian) was of Nubian origin. Harwa held the prestigious rank of Great Majordomo of the Divine Adorer, which gave him enormous power in the region around Luxor and his possessions connected to the clergy of Amun.

Of Harwa one statue group and eight individual statues are known, works of rather great artistic value. The most typical iconography shows him in a squatting position with the features of a mature overweight man.