Abstract
This article confronts a widespread prejudice about mathematical knowledge, that mathematics is ‘culture-free’, by demonstrating alternative constructions of euclidean geometrical ideas developed from the traditional culture of Mozambique. As well as establishing the educational power of these constructions, the article illustrates the methodology of ‘cultural conscientialization’ in the context of teacher training.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D'Ambrosio, U.: 1983, ‘Successes and failures of mathematics curricula in the past two decades: A developing society viewpoint in a holistic framework’, inProceedings of the Fourth International Congress of Mathematical Education, Boston, pp. 362–364.
D'Ambrosio, U.: 1984, ‘The intercultural transmission of mathematical knowledge: Effects on mathematical education’, UNICAMP, Campinas.
D'Ambrosio, U.: 1985a, ‘Ethnomathematics and its place in the history and pedagogy of mathematics’, inFor the learning of Mathematics, Montreal, Vol. p. 5, no. 1, pp. 44–48.
D'Ambrosio, U.: 1985b,Socio-cultural Bases for Mathematics Education, UNICAMP, Campinas.
Ascher, M. and R. Ascher: 1981,Code of the Quipu. A Study in Media, Mathematics, and Culture, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
Broomes, D. and P. Kuperes: 1983, ‘Problems of defining the mathematics curriculum in rural communities’, inProceedings of the Fourth International Congress of Mathematical Education, Boston, pp. 708–711.
Carraher, T., D. Carraher, and A. Schliemann: 1982, ‘Na vida, dez, na escola, zero: os contextos culturais da aprendizagem de matemática’, inCadernos de pesquisa, São Paulo, Vol. 42, pp. 79–86.
El Tom, M.: 1984, ‘The role of Third World University Mathematics Institutions in promoting mathematics’, Adelaide.
Eshiwani, G.: 1979, ‘The goals of mathematics teaching in Africa: A need for re-examination’, inProspects, Paris, Vol. IX, no. 3, pp. 346–352.
Gay, J. and M. Cole: 1967,The New Mathematics and An Old Culture: A Study of Learning Among the Kpelle of Liberia, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York.
Gerdes, P.: 1982, ‘Mathematics for the benefit of the people’, CARIMATHS, Parmaribo.
Gerdes, P.: 1985a, ‘Conditions and strategies for emancipatory mathematics education in under-developed countries’, inFor the Learning of Mathematics, Montreal, Vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 15–20.
Gerdes, P.: 1985b,Zum erwachenden geometrischen Denken, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo.
Gerdes, P.: 1985c, ‘Three alternate methods of obtaining the ancient Egyptian formula for the area of a circle’, inHistoria Mathematica, New York, Vol. 12, pp. 261–268.
Gerdes, P.: 1986a, ‘On culture, mathematics and curriculum development in Mozambique’, in Mellin-Olsen and Johnsen Høines, pp. 15–42.
Gerdes, P.: 1986b, ‘Um método geral para construir polígonos regulares, inspirado numa técnica moçambicana de entrelaçamento’, TLANU-booklet, Maputo, no. 4.
Gerdes, P.: 1986c, ‘A widespread decorative motif and the Pythagorean theorem’,For the Learning of Mathematics, Montreal (in press).
Gerdes, P.: 1986d, ‘Hypothesen zur Entdeckung des altmesopotamischen Näherungswertes pi=31/8‘, TLANU-preprint, Maputo, no. 1986-4.
Gerdes, P.: 1986e, ‘Did ancient Egyptian artisans know how to find a square equal in area to two given squares?’, TLANU-preprint, Maputo, no. 1986-5
Gerdes, P.: 1986f, ‘How to recognize hidden geometrical thinking? A contribution to the development of anthropological mathematics’, inFor the Learning of Mathematics, Montreal, Vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 10–12, 17.
Gerdes, P. and H. Meyer: 1986g, ‘Pythagoras, einmal anders’,Alpha, Berlin (in press).
Luna, E.: 1983, ‘Análisis curricular y contexto sociocultural’, Santiago.
Machel, S. 1970, ‘Educate man to win the war, create a new society and develop our country’, inMozambique, Sowing the Seeds of Revolution, Zimbabwe Publishing House, Harare, 1981. pp. 33–41.
Machel, S.: 1978, ‘Knowledge and science should be for the total liberation of man’, inRace and Class, Vol. XIX, no. 4, pp. 399–404.
Mellin-Olsen, S. and M. J. Høines: 1986,Mathematics and Culture. A Seminar Report, Caspar Forlag, Rådal.
Mmari, G. 1978, ‘The United Republic of Tanzania: Mathematics for social transformation’, in F. Swetz (ed.),Socialist Mathematics Education, Burgundy Press, Southampton.
Nebres, B. 1983, ‘Problems of mathematical education in and for changing societies: problems in Southeast Asian countries’, Tokyo.
Nebres, B.: 1984, ‘The problem of universal mathematics education in developing countries’, Adelaide.
Pinxten, P. I. van Dooren and F. Harvey: 1983,The Anthropology of Space. Explorations into the Natural Philosophy and Semantics of the Navajo, University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gerdes, P. On culture, geometrical thinking and mathematics education. Educ Stud Math 19, 137–162 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751229
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751229