The process of mask making.

The Yup'ik Shamans were responsible for almost all of the spiritual concepts expressed in the masks. They would pick someone that was a skilled carvers to interpret what they wanted to be carved onto the masks. In some cases the carver or the carvers weres werent allowed to wear the masks. During the carving and dancing the masks were handled very carefully so they would not offend the spirit inside the masks. When the masks were finished they were hidden in a secret place. When they were done they were covered to protect them. When it was time to put on the mask the dancer would put it on in a dark corner. So the audience could not see the dancer transform from dancer to spirit.