The first recorded scarecrows in history were made along the Nile River. Their job was to protect wheat fields from flocks of quail. Egyptian farmers used wooden frames, covering them with nets. The farmers would then hide in the fields to scare the quail into the nets. What happened to the quail? They became dinner!  

The Greeks carved wooden scarecrows to look like Priapus, son of the god Dionysus. Priapus is said to have lived with vineyard keepers. And that he was very ugly. The birds stayed away from the grapes and the harvest was the best, when Priapus played in the fields. Other Greek farmers decided to make statues to look like Priapus in their vineyards, so they would have a bountiful harvest. These figures were painted purple with a club in one hand, making the statue look dangerous, and a sickle in the other, for a good harvest.  

The Romans copied the Greek custom by making carved scarecrows, too. Over time the Roman armies went to places like France, Germany, and England, where they introduced the people who lived there to Priapus scarecrows.  

Japanese farmers began making scarecrows to protect their rice fields at the same time the Greeks and Romans made their Priapus statues. The Japanese scarecrow is called kakashis, meaning something that smells badly. Japanese  farmers hang old rags, meat, or fish bones from their bamboo pole scarecrows and set fire to them. Animals stay away from the fire and smell!  

Skulls of animals are placed on the tops of tall poles in the fields of Italy. Italian farmers believe skulls scare away birds and protect crops from diseases.  

German scarecrows are similar to the ones you find in America. The German farmers make wooden witches to put in their fields at the end of winter. The belief is, witch scarecrows draw the evil spirit of Winter into their bodies so Spring can come.  

Copyright © 2007 by VS Grenier