Unlocking mathematical marvels: Exploring number patterns in the Rangku Alu traditional game
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v10i2.25621Keywords:
ethnography, ethnomathematics, number patterns, Rangku Alu traditional gameAbstract
Ethnomathematics, an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of cultural studies and mathematics, examines the intricate mathematical practices found within diverse cultural settings. This research focuses on Rangku Alu, a traditional game from Indonesia, to explore its embedded mathematical elements. Using a qualitative ethnographic methodology, the study uncovers the mathematical concepts within the game's cultural context. It traces the origins and cultural importance of Rangku Alu in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, through combining participant observation, interviews, and literature review. The game, which prominently features bamboo, is a staple activity in harvest celebrations and serves as a way to express gratitude. During the game, players engage in synchronized movements that create rhythmic patterns and interactive sequences. The analysis reveals seven distinct numerical patterns, derived from the strikes of bamboo, jumping sequences, and player formations. These patterns include both odd and even sequences, as well as basic arithmetic operations. Rangku Alu not only entertains but also provides a unique setting for exploring numerical concepts. This study highlights the potential of integrating traditional practices like Rangku Alu into mathematics education to promote inclusivity and enhance mathematical understanding in multicultural environments.
References
Agatha. (2022). Sejarah dan filosofi permainan tradisional Rangku Alu [The history and philosophy of the Rangku Alu traditional game]. (Personal Communication).
Agus, C., Saktimulya, S. R., Dwiarso, P., Widodo, B., Rochmiyati, S., & Darmowiyono, M. (2021). Revitalization of local traditional culture for sustainable development of national character building in Indonesia. Innovations and Traditions for Sustainable Development, 347-369. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78825-4_21
Cai, J., & Hwang, S. (2023). Making mathematics challenging through problem posing in the classroom. In Mathematical challenges for all (pp. 115–145). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-18868-8_7
D'Ambrosio, U. (1985). Ethnomathematics and its place in the history and pedagogy of mathematics. For the Learning of Mathematics, 5(1), 44-48.
D’Ambrosio, U., Rosa, M. (2017). Ethnomathematics and its pedagogical action in mathematics education. In: Rosa, M., Shirley, L., Gavarrete, M., Alangui, W. (eds) Ethnomathematics and its Diverse Approaches for Mathematics Education (pp. 285-305). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59220-6_12
Fetterman, D.M. (2008). Ethnography. In the SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. Sage Publications, Inc.
Fitriadi, Sinaga, R. M., & Muhammad, R. R. (2024). A literature review on the cultural perspective study in elementary school education in Indonesia. Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research, 5(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v5i1.848
Hakim, L. (2011). Cultural landscapes of the Tengger highland, East Java. Landscape Ecology in Asian Cultures, 69-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-87799-8_6
Hidayati, F. N., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Ethnomathematics’ research in Indonesia during 2015-2020. Indonesian Journal of Ethnomathematics, 1(1), 29-42. http://doi.org/10.48135/ije.v1i1.29-42
Hockey, J. (2020). Interviews as ethnography? Disembodied social interaction in Britain. In British Subjects (pp. 209-222). Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003084822-20
Hung, H. T., Yang, J. C., Hwang, G. J., Chu, H. C., & Wang, C. C. (2018). A scoping review of research on digital game-based language learning. Computers & Education, 126, 89-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.07.001
Imran, A. (2023). Why addressing digital inequality should be a priority. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 89(3), e12255. https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12255
Jabar, A., Gazali, R. Y., Ningrum, A. A., Atsnan, M., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Ethnomathematical exploration on traditional game Bahasinan in Gunung Makmur Village the regency of Tanah Laut. Mathematics Teaching Research Journal, 14(5), 107-127.
Khasanah, M., Khalil, I. A., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2023). An inquiry into ethnomathematics within the framework of the traditional game of Congklak. Journal of Honai Math, 6(2), 175-188. https://doi.org/10.30862/jhm.v6i2.553
Li, M. C., & Tsai, C. C. (2013). Game-based learning in science education: A review of relevant research. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 22, 877-898. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-013-9436-x
Metz, M., & Davis, B. (2020). Procedural steps, conceptual steps, and critical discernments: A necessary evolution of school mathematics in the information age. Mathematics (Education) in the Information Age, 185-218. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59177-9_12
Moser, A., & Korstjens, I. (2018). Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 3: Sampling, data collection and analysis. European Journal of General Practice, 24(1), 9-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2017.1375091
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). “What can students do in mathematics, reading, and science?”, in PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education, OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10/1787/02f44b44-en
Permita, A. I., Nguyen, T. T., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Ethnomathematics on the Gringsing batik motifs in Javanese culture. Journal of Honai Math, 5(2), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.30862/jhm.v5i2.265
Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Ethno-realistic mathematics education: The promising learning approach in the city of culture. SN Social Sciences, 2(12), 257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-022-00571-w
Prahmana, R. C. I., Arnal-Palacián, M., Risdiyanti, I., & Ramadhani, R. (2023). Trivium curriculum in Ethno-RME approach: An impactful insight from ethnomathematics and realistic mathematics education. Jurnal Elemen, 9(1), 298-316. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v9i1.7262
Pyo, J., Lee, W., Choi, E. Y., Jang, S. G., & Ock, M. (2023). Qualitative research in healthcare: Necessity and characteristics. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 56(1), 12-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.451
Rahmat, R. F., Ramadhan, R., Arisandi, D., Syahputra, M. F., & Sheta, O. (2018). Rangku Alu–A traditional east Nusa Tenggara game in android platform. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 978(1), 012103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/978/1/012103
Risdiyanti, I., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2020a). Ethnomathematics (Teori dan Implementasinya: Suatu Pengantar) [Ethnomathematics (Theory and its application: An introduction]. UAD Press.
Risdiyanti, I., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2020b). The learning trajectory of number pattern learning using "Barathayudha" war stories and Uno Stacko. Journal on Mathematics Education, 11(1), 157-166. http://doi.org/10.22342/jme.11.1.10225.157-166
Risdiyanti, I., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2021). Designing learning trajectory of set through the Indonesian shadow puppets and Mahabharata stories. Infinity Journal, 10(2), 331-348. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v10i2.p331-348
Risdiyanti, I., Prahmana, R. C. I., & Shahrill, M. (2019). The learning trajectory of social arithmetic using an Indonesian traditional game. Elementary Education Online, 18(4), 2094-2108. http://dx.doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2019.639439
Risdiyanti, I., Zulkardi, Putri, R. I. I., Prahmana, R. C. I., & Nusantara, D. S. (2024). Ratio and proportion through realistic mathematics education and Pendidikan matematika realistik Indonesia approach: A systematic literature review. Jurnal Elemen, 10(1), 158-180. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v10i1.24445
Rosa, M., & Orey, D. C. (2023). Exploring cultural dynamism of ethnomodelling as a pedagogical action for students from minority cultural groups. ZDM–Mathematics Education, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-023-01539-7
Sarita. (2023). Sejarah dan Filosofi Permainan Tradisional Rangku Alu [The history and philosophy of the Rangku Alu traditional game]. (Personal Communication).
Silverman, G. S., Baroiller, A., & Hemer, S. R. (2021). Culture and grief: Ethnographic perspectives on ritual, relationships and remembering. Death Studies, 45(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.1851885
Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). An ethnographic approach to researching young children's learning. In Doing Early Childhood Research (pp. 271-289). Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003115397-16
Tim PlayPlus Indonesia. (2016). Ensiklopedia permainan tradisional anak Indonesia (1st ed.) [Encyclopedia of traditional Indonesian children's games]. Erlangga for Kids.
Tracy, S. J. (2019). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact. John Wiley & Sons.
Van den Heuvel-Panhuizen, M. & Drijvers, P. (2020). Realistic mathematics education. In Encyclopedia of Mathematics Education (pp. 713–717). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15789-0_170
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Suci Pangestuti, Rully Charitas Indra Prahmana, Frankie A. Fran
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with the Jurnal Elemen agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Jurnal Elemen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
