They must learn both the techniques necessary to carve, and how to contact and learn from their personal spirit, called a djinn . The djinn gives the blacksmith his artistic inspiration and power, but, in return, these spirits are very demanding . A blacksmith is frequently called on to make a solitary, mysterious sojourn into the bush by his djinn . The blacksmiths must be willing to immediately respond to the spirit's requests. It is not an infrequent occurrence to see a blacksmith wander off in the middle of a conversation because he has been called upon by his djinn .
Blacksmiths begin the carving process by sketching very detailed outlines on the wood.
Blacksmiths are restricted to only using their left hand in the construction of these headdresses and all other ritual objects. They carve in seclusion so that no other member of the village may observe them, and, more importantly, so that they will be able to freely converse with, and hear the suggestions of, their djinn . Because of the differing influences of each djinn and the creativity of each blacksmith, no two headdresses are exactly the same. After the carving has been finished, the headdresses are burnt black and polished. At this point the headdress is physically finished, but it has no power.