The selection of Sphagnum for diapers by indigenous North Americans

Abstract

Consultation with elders from the Wet'suwet'en and Gitksan peoples of northwestern British Columbia, Canada, revealed that morphological attributes of Sphagnum are used to select proper moss material for use as diapers. Long, pink (non-red) material of S. magellanicum was considered as correct for diapers while several other mosses, as well as the short, yellow-green and red Sphagna were considered inappropriate. A review of the literature suggests that red Sphagna are avoided by several indigenous groups for diapering needs. Sphagnum has unique properties that have long been recognized as environmentally and economically important (Richardson 1981). Sphagnum is present in large quantities in northern bogs and poor fens; it has the ability to exchange hydrogen ions for base cations, thus acidifying its' surroundings; and it holds large quantities of liquid, often between 15 and 22 times its dry weight. These properties are ecologically important in the reduction of rates of decomposition that allows Sphagnum-dominated peatlands to sequester large amounts of carbon. Sphagnum also has been utilized economically through the production of soil amendments and absorptive board. The ability of Sphagnum to hold large amounts of liquid and to provide a rather sterile medium has long been recognized by native peoples around the northern hemisphere. The Inuit used it to pad their sealskin boots and for diapers (Crum 1973, Richardson 1981). Sphagnum was also used by European and North American troops as a dressing during World War I (