gistfile1.scala

scala> :pa
// Entering paste mode (ctrl-D to finish)

def stripNamespaces(node : Node) : Node = {
     node match {
         case e : Elem => 
             e.copy(scope = TopScope, child = e.child map (stripNamespaces))
         case _ => node;
     }
}

<s:test xmlns:s="test">
<s:body xmlns:t="cat">
<cat>
<testtest></testtest>
</cat>
</s:body>
</s:test>


// Exiting paste mode, now interpreting.

stripNamespaces: (node: scala.xml.Node)scala.xml.Node
res24: scala.xml.Elem = 
<s:test xmlns:s="test">
<s:body xmlns:t="cat">
<cat>
<testtest></testtest>
</cat>
</s:body>
</s:test>

scala> stripNamespaces(res24)
res25: scala.xml.Node = 
<s:test>
<s:body>
<cat>
<testtest></testtest>
</cat>
</s:body>
</s:test>

scala>