Ethnomathematics on the Saluang: Analysis of mathematical concepts in Minangkabau musical instruments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v11i2.27874Keywords:
arithmetic sequence, circumference, ethnomathematics, saluangAbstract
Saluang musical instruments are unique during manufacturing because they contain mathematical concepts. However, no one has further realized and studied the mathematical concepts of musical instruments. This study aims to explore the relationship between mathematics and Saluang. The results of the exploration are fascinating because mathematical concepts such as arithmetic and geometric series are the most important ones applied during the Saluang manufacturing process. It will also be fascinating to apply in learning to motivate students to learn. The research method used is ethnography. Data were obtained from direct observation, interviews, literature reviews, and documentation. The results obtained from this study are that during the Saluang manufacturing process, there are cultural values and mathematical concepts that include geometry and arithmetic series. Using leaves, cloth, and fingers to determine the distance between holes in making Saluang is a unique mathematical concept. This research can be used as a guideline for teachers in compiling learning devices by paying attention to activities that are very close to students.
References
Amir, Z. (2015). Mengungkap seni bermatematika dalam pembelajaran [Uncovering the art of mathematics in learning]. Suska Journal of Mathematics Education, 1(1), 60–76.
Andriyani, & Kuntarto, E. (2017). Etnomatematika: Model baru dalam pembelajaran [Ethnomathematics: A new model in learning]. II(2), 133–144.
Annisa, Mz, Z. A., & Vebrianto, R. (2021). Problematika pembelajaran matematika di SD Muhammadiyah Kampa full day school [Problems of mathematics learning at Muhammadiyah Kampa full day school]. El-Ibtidaiy: Journal of Primary Education, 4(1), 95–105.
Ardiansyah, M. (2020). Pemanfaatan aplikasi KAHOOT! Sebagai media pembelajaran matematika kreatif [Utilization of the KAHOOT! Application as a creative mathematics learning media]. JuMlahku: Jurnal Matematika Ilmiah, 6(2), 145–155.
Aslan, & Yunaldi, A. (2018). Budaya berbalas pantun dalam acara adat istiadat perkawinan Melayu Sambas [The culture of reciprocating pantun in Sambas Malay wedding customs]. Jurnal Transformatif, 2(2), 111–122.
Astria, R. T., & Kusno. (2023). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada alat musik tradisional [Exploration of ethnomathematics in traditional musical instruments]. PlusMinus: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 3(2), 171–182.
Bishop, A. J. (2022). Mathematics education and culture: Challenges and opportunities. Routledge.
Desmawardi, Sriyanto, Nazrita, A. Y., & Andriana, M. (2022). Siginyang saluang pauh dalam menembus perkampungan seni di Kota Padang [Siginyang Saluang pauh in penetrating art Village in Padang city]. Gondang: Jurnal Seni dan Budaya, 6(1), 148–161.
Ediwar, Minawati, R., & Yulika, F. (2020). Saluang dendang sirompak dalam tradisi ritual magis di Payakumbuh: Satuan kajian karakteristik musikal [Saluang dendang sirompak in the magical ritual tradition in Payakumbuh: A study unit of musical characteristics]. Jurnal Panggung, 30(4), 511–531.
Ediwar, Minawati, R., Yulika, F., & Hanefi. (2019). Kajian organologi pembuatan alat musik saluang darek berbasis teknologi tradisional [Organological study of making saluang darek musical instruments based on traditional technology]. Panggung, 29(2), 118–130.
Ernest, P., Skovsmose, O., Paul, J., & Maria, V. B. (2016). The philosophy of mathematics education (G. Kaiser (ed.)). ICME-13 Topical Surveys Series.
Febrian, D. M., Iltavia, & Ergusni. (2023). Pembelajaran matematika realistik indonesia (PMRI) dalam membangun karakter peserta didik [Indonesian realistic mathematics learning (PMRI) in building student character]. Lattice Journal: Journal of Mathematics Education and Applied, 3(1), 66–78.
Ge’e, R. S., Hasibuan, A. R., & Wandini, R. R. (2023). Konsep barisan dan deret aritmatika dalam qs. al-kahfi: 22 [The concept of arithmetic sequences and series in qs. al-kahfi: 22]. Cartesius: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 6(2), 81–84.
Hanan, M. P., & Alim, J. A. (2023). Analisis kesulitan belajar matematika siswa kelas vi sekolah dasar pada materi geometri [Analysis of learning difficulties of mathematics of grade VI elementary school students in geometry material]. IJME, 2(2), 59–66.
Hartoyo, A. (2012). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada budaya masyarakat Dayak Perbatasan Indonesia-Malaysia Kabupaten Sanggau Kalbar [Exploration of ethnomathematics in the culture of the Dayak Community on the Indonesia-Malaysia Border in Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan]. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, 13(1), 14–23.
Karnilah, N., & Juandi, D. (2013). Study ethnomathematics: Pengungkapan sistem bilangan masyarakat Baduy [Study ethnomathematics: Disclosure of the Baduy community number system]. Jurnal Online Pendidikan Matematika Kontemporer, 1(8), 1-15.
Laukum, M., Rosmiati, Sedia, M. E., Khadijah, & Hindi, A. N. A. (2024). Kognitif [Cognitif]. Jurnal Riset HOTS Pendidikan Matematika, 4(1), 44–56.
Minawati, R., & Yulika, F. (2019). Kajian organologi pembuatan alat musik saluang darek berbasis teknologi tradisional [Organological study of making saluang darek musical instruments based on traditional technology]. Panggung, 29(2), 116–130.
Mu’asaroh, H. P., & Noor, N. L. (2021). Eksplorasi etnomatematika bentuk alat musik rebana [Ethnomathematics exploration of the shape of the Rebana musical instrument]. Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika (Kudus), 4(1), 69-80.
Muhtadi, D., Sukirwan, Warsito, & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2017). Sundanese ethnomathematics: mathematical activities in estimating, measuring, and making patterns. Journal on Mathematics Education, 8(2), 185–198.
Muyassaroh, I., & Dewi, P. (2021). Etnomatematika: Strategi melahirkan generasi literat matematika melalui budaya lokal Yogyakarta [Ethnomathematics: Strategy to produce a generation of mathematical literacy through Yogyakarta local culture]. Jurnal Dikoda, 2(1), 1–12.
Normina. (2017). Pendidikan dalam kebudayaan [Education in culture]. Ittihad Jurnal Kopertais Wilayah XI Kalimantan, 15(28), 17–28.
Nurhayati, Asrin, & Dewi, N. K. (2022). Analisis kemampuan numerasi siswa kelas tinggi dalam penyelesaian soal pada materi geometri di SDN 1 Teniga [Analysis of high class students' numeracy ability in solving problems on geometry material at SDN 1 Teniga]. Jurnal Ilmiah Profesi Pendidikan, 2(2), 723–731.
Nursanti, Y. B., Cahyani, R. A., Regita, A. S., Ramadhani, N. D., Fikriyani, F. F., & Saputra, R. Y. (2024). Systematic literature review: Implementasi etnomatematika pada alat musik angklung untuk penanaman konsep geometri dan pola bilangan [Systematic literature review: Implementation of ethnomathematics on angklung musical instruments for instilling geometry concepts and number patterns]. Jurnal Cendekia : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 8(2), 1173–1184. https://doi.org/10.31004/cendekia.v8i2.3169
Nursyam, Y., & Supriando. (2018). Makna simbolik tari ilau nagari sumani, Kabupaten Solok Sumatera Barat [The Symbolic Meaning of the ilau nagari sumani dance, Solok Regency, West Sumatra]. Panggung, 28(4), 498–510.
Oktaviyani, D. M., Utami, N. W., & Utama, G. Y. (2023). Number and set theory in gamelan: An ethnomathematics study. Jurnal Varidika, 35(2), 110–126. https://doi.org/10.23917/varidika.v35i2.23219
Pasaribu, D. U., & Sukirwan. (2022). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada alat musik pantun bambu Cilegon [Exploration of ethnomathematics on Cilegon bamboo pantun musical instruments]. Jurnal Derivat, 9(02), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.36655/sepren.v4i01.847
Pathuddin, H., Kamariah, & Mariani, A. (2023). Ethnomathematics of Pananrang: A guidance of traditional farming system of the Buginese community. Journal on Mathematics Education, 14(2), 205–224.
Peng, A., & Zhou, C. (2024). Chinese cultural group students’ mathematical problem posing in tasks with a cultural context and without a cultural context. In Advance in Mathematics Education (pp. 15–36).
Purnomo, T. W., & Aulia, S. M. (2020). Kajian organologi alat musik saluang pauh buatan zulmasdi di kota Padang [Organological study of saluang pauh musical instrument made by zulmasdi in Padang City]. Gondang: Jurnal Seni Dan Budaya, 4(1), 28–37.
Radendri, D., & Marzam. (2024). Keberadaan saluang darek di kenagarian lubuak tarok Kabupaten Sijunjung [The existence of Saluang darek in kenagarian Lubuak Tarok, Sijunjung Regency]. Avant_Garde: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Seni Pertunjukan, 2(2), 146–157.
Rahmi, F., Iltavia, & Zarista, R. H. (2021). Efektivitas pembelajaran berorientasi matematika realistik untuk membangun pemahaman relasional pada materi peluang [The effectiveness of realistic mathematics-oriented learning to build relational understanding of probability material]. Jurnal Cendekia: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 5(3), 2869–2877.
Rakhmawati M, R. (2016). Aktivitas matematika berbasis budaya pada masyarakat Lampung [Culturally based mathematics activities in Lampung society]. Al-Jabar: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 7(2), 221–230.
Rezhi, K., Yulifar, L., & Najib, M. (2023). Memahami langkah-langkah dalam penelitian etnografi dan etnometodologi [Understanding the steps in ethnographic and ethnomethodological research]. Jurnal Artefak, 10(2), 271–276.
Rosa, M., Ambrosio, U. D., Clark, D., & Lawrence, O. (2016). Current and future perspectives of ethnomathematics as a program. In G. Kaiser (Ed.), Current and future perspectives of ethnomathematics as a program. ICME-13 Topical Surveys.
Saputra, D., Elina, M., Firdaus, & Rafiloza. (2022). Bentuk dan fungsi pertunjukan saluang panjang pada masyarakat Nagari Luak Kapau Kecamatan Pauh Duo Kabupaten Solok Selatan [Form and function of the long saluang performance in the Luak Kapau Village Community, Pauh Duo District, South Solok Regency]. Jurnal Musik Etnik Nusantara, 2(1), 32–46.
Sari, A. R. K., Ningrum, A. P., & Eliana, P. (2022). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada alat musik tradisional kenong Jawa Tengah [Exploration of ethnomathematics on traditional musical instruments kenong Central Java]. Seminar Nasional Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika (7th SENATIK), 107–114.
Sari, F. L., Sari, N. H. M., Auliya, M., Damayanti, E., & Rizqoh, M. (2022). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada alat musik angklung dalam pembelajaran matematika [Exploration of ethnomathematics on angklung musical instruments in mathematics learning]. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Pendidikan Matematika IV (Sandika IV), 409–416.
Soebagyo, J., Andriono, R., Razfy, M., & Arjun, M. (2021). Analisis peran etnomatematika dalam pembelajaran matematika abstrak [Analysis of the role of ethnomathematics in mathematics learning abstract]. ANARGYA: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Matematika, 4(2), 184–190.
Soedarbe, Y., Arreza, D., & Adriantoro, A. A. (2022). Eksplorasi etnomatematika pada alat musik kecapi siter [Exploration of ethnomathematics on the musical instrument kecapi siter]. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Matematika Dan Pendidikan Matematika, 7, 144–151. https://conference.upgris.ac.id/index.php/senatik/article/view/ 3344
Tanujaya, B., Prahmana R., C., I., & Mumu, J. (2017). Mathematics instruction, problems, challenges, and opportunities: A case study in Manokwari regency, Indonesia. World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, 15(13), 287–291.
Trisnawati, T. (2022). Pengembangan bahan ajar interaktif dengan pendekatan etnomatematika berbasis budaya lokal di Banten pada pokok bahasan barisan dan deret untuk siswa SMP [Development of interactive teaching materials with an ethnomathematics approach based on local culture in Banten on the topic of sequences and series for junior high School Students]. Jurnal Cendekia: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 6(1), 282–290.
Umbara, U. (2024). Decomposition of numbers: An ethnomathematics perspective in sundanese language systems for elementary school mathematics learning. AIEM:Avances De Investigación En Educación Matemática, 26, 129–146.
Windiani, & Nurul R, F. (2016). Menggunakan metode etnografi dalam penelitian sosial [Using ethnographic methods in social research]. Dimensi, 9(2), 87–92.
Zhang, H., & Zheng, Y. (2023). Student motivation and attitudes in mathematics education: Current trends and challenges. Palgrave Macmillan.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fathur Rahmi, Sofi Yonalta, Intan Rozana

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