Riparian Cultural Significance
Riparian areas are lands that occur along watercourses and water bodies. Typical examples include flood plains and stream banks. They are distinctly different from surrounding lands because of unique soil and vegetation characteristics that are strongly influenced by the presence of water. Riparian habitats have always been very important to Native American lifestyle. Riparian areas have huge effects on water quality, which is essential to Native Americans. Riparian areas were, and continue to be, areas to gather materials, find food, transport materials and travel. Most permanent Native American villages were located near a water source. Living near water enabled Native Americans to utilize riparian habitats with ease.
Riparian Habitat
· River Cane – Riparian areas were the main source of river cane to Native Americans. River Cane (arundinaria gigantea) is the most widely used plant in Native American culture. This plant is used for an amazing variety of things. This plant grows almost exclusively near water sources and is a major riparian plant. River cane has historically been used for arrows, basket weaving, blowguns, flutes, food, construction material, gig poles, and of course fishing poles. “Cultural: Dense stands of cane, known as canebrakes, have been likened to a “supermarket” offering material for many purposes (Anderson).” River cane suffered a major loss in distribution and size of stands. Native Americans did not burn riparian areas but managed these areas through other means. For example: Natives would remove certain trees and help protect the vegetation near the water. Many river cane restoration projects have been conducted and are being conducted. The Cherokee Nation in northeast Oklahoma is starting up a restoration project called Cherokee Nation River Cane Initiative.
· Food – Many riparian plants were consumed as a food source. Cattail roots were dug up and eaten. American Groundnut (apios americana) were also a major edible plant of riparian areas. Another food source was river cane “Young shoots were cooked as a potherb and ripe seeds were gathered in the summer or fall and ground into flour for food (Anderson).” Riparian habitats support high amounts of wildlife and this leads to more food availability.
· Materials – Plants of riparian areas were used for construction materials. The leaves of cattails were woven together to make mats. Palmetto plants were used as thatching for roofing material. Many other resources also came from riparian areas. The banks of streams were a great source of clay that was used for pottery. The riparian areas were also a source of mussel shells which were used as a temper for pottery. Several tree species grow in close proximity to water sources. Bois D’arc trees are often used for making bows. Bois D’arc trees that grew close to water were often straighter and less knotted. This made making a bow easier and made the bow itself higher quality.
· Stream Health – In regards to Native Americans streams, that have riparian areas on its banks, are much healthier in terms of water quality, water temperature, flood control, navigability, and food production. The removal of buffer zones of plants around streams and rivers can cause many issues. The removal of plants causes banks to become less stable. The banks will commonly fall in leading to widening of creeks and rivers.
· Stickball Sticks – Although hickory trees are not considered a riparian plant; they commonly grow near or in riparian areas. Hickory wood is the most commonly used wood for creating stickball sticks. Hickory is not the only type of tree used but it is the most common. Stickball sticks are used in a traditional Native American sport called stickball. In the Choctaw language, the game of stickball is known by the names kapucha or ishtaboli. Stickball is a very cultural game that was historically used to settle disputes helping earn it the name Little Brother of War. (Iti Fvbssa)
A collection of Iti Fabvssa articles can be found on ChoctawNationCulture.com. This issue of the Iti Fibvssa in the Bisnik is 2010.07. You can follow this link http://choctawnationculture.com/media/27441/2010.07%20Stickball%20the%20Choctaw%20national%20sport.pdf
Anderson, M.K. and T. Oakes, 2011. Plant Guide for Giant Cane Arundinaria gigantea. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Plant Data Team. Greensboro, NC 27401.