4 - Ethnomathematics, Geometry and Educational Experiences in Africa
Corresponding Author(s) : Paul Gerdes
Africa Development,
Vol. 30 No. 3 (2005): Africa Development: Special Issue 'All knowledge is first of all local knowledge'
Abstract
The paper traces historically reflections about mathematics, education and culture in Africa, that culminated in the emergence of ethnomathematics as a research field. A brief overview of ethnomathematical research in Mozambique and ofhistorical research related to mathematics in Africa is presented, followed by examples of the integration of ethnomathematics into teacher education to stimulate the development of social—and cultural—mathematical awareness. The paper concludes with some trends in using ideas from ethnomathematics in education in Africa.
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- D'Ambrosio, Ubiratan, 1990, Etnomatematica: arte ou técnica de explicar e
- conhecer, Editora Atica, Sào Paulo.
- Cherinda, Marcos, 2002, 'The Use of a Cultural Activity in the Teaching and Leaming of Mathematics:
- The Exploration of Twill Weaving in Mozambican Classrooms', Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Witwatersrand
- University, Johannesburg. Doumbia, Salimata,1984, Mathématiques dans l'environnement socio-culturel
- Africain, Abidjan : Institut de Recherches Mathématiques d'Abidjan.
- Doumbia, Salimata, 1989, 'Mathematics in traditional African games', in: C. Keitel,
- P. Damerow, A. Bishop, P. Gerdes (eds.), Mathematics, Education, and Society,
- Paris: UNESCO, 174-175.
- Doumbia, Salimata & Pil, J.,1992, Les jeux de cauris, Abidjan: IRMA.
- Draisma, Jan, 1992, 'Arithmetic and its didactics', in Report of the first year of the Master s
- Degree Program in Mathematics Education for Primary Schools
- (August 1991-July 1992), Instituto Superior Pedag6gica, Beira, 1992, 89-
- (mimeo).
- Eglash, Ron, 1999,AfricanFractals: Modern Computingandlndigenous Design,
- Piscataway: Rutgers University Press.
- Gay, John & Cole, Michel, 1967, The new mathematics and an old culture, a study of learning among
- the Kpelle of Liberia, New York: Hoh, Rinehart & Winston.
- Gerdes, Paulus, 1982, Mathematics for the benejit of the people, CARIMATH, Paramaribo (mimeo).
- Gerdes, Paulus, 1985a, Conditions and strategies for emancipatory mathematics
- education in underdeveloped countries, For the Leaming of Mathematics, Montreal, 5(3), 15-20.
- Gerdes, Paulus, 1985b, Zum erwachenden geometrischen Denkrnr Maputo:
- · Eduardo Mondlane University (mimeo).
- Gerdes, Paulus,1990, Vivendo a matematica: desenhos da Âfrica, sau--Paulo: Editora Scipione.
- Gerdes, Paulus, 1991a, Ethnogeometrie. Kulturanthropologische Beitriige zur Genese und Didaktik der
- Geometrie; Verlag Franzbecker, Bad Salzdetfurth, 360 p. (new edition 2003).
- Gerdes, Paulus, 1991b, Etnomatematica: Cultura, Matematica, Educaçiio,
- Maputo: Instituto Superior Pedag6gico.
- Gerdes, Paulus, 199 lc, Lusona: geometrical recreations of Africa, Maputo: Instituto Superior
- Pedag6gico.
- Gerdes, Paulus, ed.,1993, A numeraçiio em Moçambique - Contribuiçiio para uma rejlexiio sobre
- cultura, Zingua e educaçiio matematica, Maputo: Instituto Superior Pedag6gico.
- Gerdes, Paulus,1993-1994, Geometria Sona: Rejlexoes sobre uma tradiçiio de desemho em povos da
- Âfrica ao Sul do Equador, Maputo: Instituto Superior
- Pedag6gico, (3 vol.)
References
D'Ambrosio, Ubiratan, 1990, Etnomatematica: arte ou técnica de explicar e
conhecer, Editora Atica, Sào Paulo.
Cherinda, Marcos, 2002, 'The Use of a Cultural Activity in the Teaching and Leaming of Mathematics:
The Exploration of Twill Weaving in Mozambican Classrooms', Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Witwatersrand
University, Johannesburg. Doumbia, Salimata,1984, Mathématiques dans l'environnement socio-culturel
Africain, Abidjan : Institut de Recherches Mathématiques d'Abidjan.
Doumbia, Salimata, 1989, 'Mathematics in traditional African games', in: C. Keitel,
P. Damerow, A. Bishop, P. Gerdes (eds.), Mathematics, Education, and Society,
Paris: UNESCO, 174-175.
Doumbia, Salimata & Pil, J.,1992, Les jeux de cauris, Abidjan: IRMA.
Draisma, Jan, 1992, 'Arithmetic and its didactics', in Report of the first year of the Master s
Degree Program in Mathematics Education for Primary Schools
(August 1991-July 1992), Instituto Superior Pedag6gica, Beira, 1992, 89-
(mimeo).
Eglash, Ron, 1999,AfricanFractals: Modern Computingandlndigenous Design,
Piscataway: Rutgers University Press.
Gay, John & Cole, Michel, 1967, The new mathematics and an old culture, a study of learning among
the Kpelle of Liberia, New York: Hoh, Rinehart & Winston.
Gerdes, Paulus, 1982, Mathematics for the benejit of the people, CARIMATH, Paramaribo (mimeo).
Gerdes, Paulus, 1985a, Conditions and strategies for emancipatory mathematics
education in underdeveloped countries, For the Leaming of Mathematics, Montreal, 5(3), 15-20.
Gerdes, Paulus, 1985b, Zum erwachenden geometrischen Denkrnr Maputo:
· Eduardo Mondlane University (mimeo).
Gerdes, Paulus,1990, Vivendo a matematica: desenhos da Âfrica, sau--Paulo: Editora Scipione.
Gerdes, Paulus, 1991a, Ethnogeometrie. Kulturanthropologische Beitriige zur Genese und Didaktik der
Geometrie; Verlag Franzbecker, Bad Salzdetfurth, 360 p. (new edition 2003).
Gerdes, Paulus, 1991b, Etnomatematica: Cultura, Matematica, Educaçiio,
Maputo: Instituto Superior Pedag6gico.
Gerdes, Paulus, 199 lc, Lusona: geometrical recreations of Africa, Maputo: Instituto Superior
Pedag6gico.
Gerdes, Paulus, ed.,1993, A numeraçiio em Moçambique - Contribuiçiio para uma rejlexiio sobre
cultura, Zingua e educaçiio matematica, Maputo: Instituto Superior Pedag6gico.
Gerdes, Paulus,1993-1994, Geometria Sona: Rejlexoes sobre uma tradiçiio de desemho em povos da
Âfrica ao Sul do Equador, Maputo: Instituto Superior
Pedag6gico, (3 vol.)