Camas refers to a group of perennial plants in the genus Camassia, native to western North America, that hold deep significance in ethnobotany and anthropology because of their role as a staple food for Indigenous peoples.
🌱 Botanical Definition
- Genus: Camassia (family Asparagaceae).
- Species: Includes Camassia quamash (common camas), Camassia leichtlinii (great camas), among others.
- Appearance:
- Produces star-shaped blue to purple flowers in spring.
- Grows in moist meadows and grasslands.
- Edible Part: Bulbs, which are rich in carbohydrates (mainly inulin).
🔑 Anthropological & Ethnobotanical Contexts
- Indigenous Food Source:
- Camas bulbs were a staple for many Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest (e.g., Nez Perce, Coast Salish, Kalapuya).
- Bulbs were pit-roasted for long periods to convert inulin into digestible fructose, producing a sweet, molasses-like flavor.
- Trade & Exchange:
- Camas was widely traded across regions, functioning as a food commodity and social gift.
- Ritual & Social Life:
- Harvesting camas was often communal, tied to seasonal gatherings and ceremonies.
- Camas meadows were managed through controlled burning to encourage growth.
- Colonial Impact:
- European settlers disrupted camas harvesting grounds, leading to food insecurity for Indigenous communities.
📚 Importance in Anthropology
- Subsistence Strategy: Camas exemplifies how Indigenous peoples adapted to and managed ecosystems.
- Material Culture: Pit ovens, roasting techniques, and storage practices are part of the archaeological record.
- Social Organization: Seasonal camas harvests reinforced kinship ties and collective labor.
- Comparative Value: Camas parallels other root crops (e.g., taro, manioc) in its central role in subsistence economies.
In short: Camas is a North American ethnobotanical staple, a bulb plant central to Indigenous subsistence, trade, and ritual life, with archaeological traces in pit ovens and managed meadows.
