Umai, also called May-ene, is the mother-goddess who protects infants and women in childbirth. Among the Shor and neighbouring Khakas the same word names the newborn's caul and the fragile child-soul that Umai keeps beside the infant; should she withdraw, sickness or death was thought to follow, and her presence was invoked until the child could walk and speak freely, after which the soul was reckoned as kut. She belongs to the benevolent powers of the upper world and is addressed as Ak Umai, 'White Umai', in blessing.