Performances of large, elaborate masks were the central focus of community ritual. Called semese or hevehe in the Elema area, these masks could represent many different spirits—in this case, sea monster spirits with ferocious mouths and teeth. Semese masks were constructed in the longhouses and occasionally appeared in villages at stages of men's initiations and other rites. Their arrival was announced by the whirling sound of bullroarers, small, oval boards that were swung over the men's heads on bark fiber string. Men told the women that the sound was the voice of the spirits, and while it is probable that women knew the true origin of the sound, it did alert them to leave the village or go inside until the intermediate rituals were completed. Women participated in the dances at the end of the ritual cycle.