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Cambodian villager Ek Chan has so far avoided the novel coronavirus without masks or social distances, but rather the scarecrows he created to keep the deadly virus at bay.
Ek Chan’s two scarecrows, known locally as “Ting Mong”, guard the gate of her home in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh, giving her peace of mind.
The practice has existed for more than a century in some Cambodian villages, where residents like Ek Chan, 64, trust their ability to ward off evil spirits and disease.
“Since I created these Ting Mongs, they have helped scare away any virus, including the coronavirus, and stop it from spreading to my family,” said Ek Chan, who has a male and female scarecrow.
“I really believe in scarecrow magic myself and don’t bother catching the virus at all.”
Cambodia is among the countries least affected by the coronavirus, with just 307 cases and no deaths reported, having contained minor outbreaks in March, July and August.
But many Cambodians are still wary of the infection, with fears escalating earlier this month when the Hungarian foreign minister visited the country and later tested positive.
This has led to testing and isolating hundreds of potentially exposed people, including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and temporary bans on gatherings.
Scarecrows are easy to make, typically made from rice hay, bamboo or wooden sticks and dressed in old clothing.
Some even receive motorcycle helmets and are armed by the owners with sticks and knives.
Ek Chan said he knows little about the science of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and although he believes in the power of his scarecrows, he hopes a free vaccine will be available soon.
“This will kill this virus from our country,” he added.
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