The Golden Bough (Third Edition, Vol. 7 of 12) - Mirrors

169shearing, 467 and when tillage in common existed, instances wereknown of a ridge being left unshorn (no person would claim it)because of it being behind the rest. The fear entertained wasthat of having the ‘famine of the farm’ (gort a bhaile), in theshape of an imaginary old woman (cailleach), to feed till nextharvest. Much emulation and amusement arose from the fear ofthis old woman.... The first done made a doll of some blades ofcorn, which was called the ‘old wife,’ and sent it to his nearestneighbour. He in turn, when ready, passed it to another still lessexpeditious, and the person it last remained with had ‘the oldwoman’ to keep for that year.” 468To illustrate the custom by examples, in Bernera, on the west The Old Wifeof Lewis, the harvest rejoicing goes by the name of the OldWife (Cailleach) from the last sheaf cut, whether in a township,farm, or croft. Where there are a number of crofts beside eachother, there is always great rivalry as to who shall first finishreaping, and so have the Old Wife before his neighbours. Somepeople even go out on a clear night to reap their fields aftertheir neighbours have retired to rest, in order that they may havethe Old Wife first. More neighbourly habits, however, usuallyprevail, and as each finishes his own fields he goes to the help ofanother, till the whole crop is cut. The reaping is still done withthe sickle. When the corn has been cut on all the crofts, the lastsheaf is dressed up to look as like an old woman as possible. Shewears a white cap, a dress, an apron, and a little shawl over theshoulders fastened with a sprig of heather. The apron is tuckedup to form a pocket, which is stuffed with bread and cheese. Asickle, stuck in the string of the apron at the back, completesher equipment. This costume and outfit mean that the Old Wifeis ready to bear a hand in the work of harvesting. At the feastwhich follows, the Old Wife is placed at the head of the table,467 That is, with the reaping.468 Rev. J. G. Campbell, Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland(Glasgow, 1900), pp. 243 sq.(Cailleach) in thelast sheaf at harvestin the islandsof Lewis andIslay. The OldWife at harvest inArgyleshire. Thereaper of the lastsheaf called theWinter.[141]