Caves, the paths deep below the surface, have always been important in Tengerist tradition. It is said that caves are a connection to the lower world. When a shaman needs to go to the lower world, to retrieve a soul or plead to Erlig Khan, one of the ways their spirits can travel is through caves. It is believed that all manner of lower world creatures enter the middle world through caves. Contrary to this frightening place caves are also associated with Etügen Ene, mother earth. They are a place though which the fertility of the earth is expressed. Many fertility rituals are preferably performed in front of a cave. Often a wooden pole is placed pointing upwards to the sky in front of a cave. The cave represents the female earth and the pole the male sky.
