African masks and the mask carvers

In a previous post, I quickly talked about the mask carvers:
Carving a mask is a very sophisticated and complicated art. In many part of Africa, the apprentice will have to work between 3 to 7 years with the master carver in order to fully learn how to create a mask. This art is actually very often transferred from father through son through several generations.
As mentioned previously, this art is very often transferred from father through son. You have to know that mask carvers are exclusively male. I recently learnt that the carving of a ritual mask is normally done in seclusion and his preceded by a long prepration that includes fasting,abstention from sexual activity,and other purification rites.
The mask carvers is a very respected artisan. They often make their own tools. The mask created by the mask carvers are not owned by them, neither they are owned by the wearer. They are owned by the community or secret society and they are kept in a special place.
The protection of the masks is not the responsability of the mask carver. This responsability of great importance and honor is often given to a women. She is the only one allowed to see them when they are not in use.
You can see and purchase traditional African masks from the Dan ethnic tribe for instance if you go to:
http://www.myafrikart.com