 The Shapsug were engaged in agriculture, cattle and horse breeding, gardening, viticulture, and beekeeping.In pre-Islamic and pre-Christian times, the Shapsug worshiped the Circassian gods—Shible (god of thunder and lightning), Sozeresh () (god of fertility), Yemish or Yemij (god of war), Akhin and Khakustash (protectors of cattle breeding), Tlepsh (god of blacksmithing), Keshkogwasha () (god of the Black Sea), etc.The Shapsug used to perform the Hantse Guashe () ceremony of rain calling during droughts by carrying a dressed doll through the aul and then drowning it in the river, and never getting it out before raining.