My library has a challenge for adult readers to try a variety of genres and authors over the course of a year; one of the opportunities was to seek out “a book written by a Native American author.” I eagerly took this opportunity to read a book I’d heard about but not yet read:
Gathering Moss:
a natural and cultural history of mosses
And guess what I learned?
Mosses were the first diaper.
The author of this book, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, really drew me into the world of moss (which, to be clear, was not necessarily going to be an easy feat). And the way that she discussed the different historical uses of moss particularly caught my attention.
“In this most fundamental aspect of family life, mosses showed their great utility. To say nothing of humility. Babies were packed in their cradleboards in a comfy nest of dried moss. We know that Sphagnum moss can absorb twenty to forty times its weight in water. This rivals the performance of Pampers making it the first disposable diaper. A pouch filled with mosses was probably as vital to these mothers as is the ubiquitous diaper bag today. The plentiful air spaces in dried Sphagnum would wick the urine away from the baby’s skin, just as it wicks up moisture in a bog. The acid astringency and mildly antiseptic properties even prevented diaper rash. Like the coltsfoot, the spongy mosses placed themselves near at hand, right at the edge of the shallow pools where mothers knelt to wash their babies. They came where they were needed. As a mother at the beginning of a new millennium, I feel a certain regret that my babies never felt the touch of soft moss against their skin, forging a bond with the world that Pampers can never provide.” – page 107
I learned so much from this book! And it was a beautiful, relational read that felt like a song sometimes.
That’s all the diaper-related content in the book, but if you’re intrigued about moss now, check it out from your local library or order a copy (Amazon link here)!
Abby the Sociologist Doula 