Ivory was used in the past to create masks, but even then it represented a very tiny percentage of the material used to carve African masks. Ivory, owing to its nature, lends itself to very complex carvings. Other materials are used. Brass, for instance, is used in Ashantiland. Beads are also used quite extensively.
Beads serve as decorative items on many masks.
Woodcarving was very rarely a full-time job. Woodcarving experts worked part-time and supplemented their incomes with farming or other activities. In some societies, woodcarvers were also blacksmiths. The young apprentice learned the secrets of the trade under the guidance of woodcarving experts. The duration of the training was about three years.