Yup'ik shamans directed the making of masks and composed the dances and music for winter ceremonies. The specified masks depicted survival essentials requested in ceremonies. Shamans often carved the symbolic masks that were vital to many Yup'ik ceremonial dances and this masks represented spirits that the shaman saw during visions. Shaman masks or plaque masks ("nepcetaq" sg "nepcetak" dual "nepcetat" pl) were empowered by shamans and are powerful ceremonial masks represented a shaman's helping spirit ("tuunraq"). Shamans wearing masks of bearded seal, moose, wolf, eagle, beaver, fish, and the north wind were accompanied with drums and music.