Paint is made from earth pigments and charcoal. Masks are decorated with shells, pig tusks, and cassowary feathers. Few masks are worn directly over the face, which explains the lack of holes for eyes. They may be part of a large cone-shaped wicker framework for a dance costume called a tumbuan. Other masks are made only for display in the men's Haus to attract powerful and useful spirits.
Masks often refer to a clan totem such as crocodile or eagle.
Savi masks are the most powerful. All savi have their tongues stuck out as a sign of aggression towards enemies of their clan. In the men's ceremonial Haus Tambarans, the orator's stools are savis and also many of the gable masks. Mai masks represent the spirits of totemic names. Names are very sacred in PNG, no one actually says anyone's real name, including their own, for fear of drawing the attention of bad spirits or sorcerers.