The ethnomathematics: Exploration of Gayo tribe local wisdom related to mathematics education

Abstract

Education cannot be separated by cultural value. However, in practice, learning is still far from the daily culture of students. The study aims to investigate the sort of Gayo tribe local wisdom related to ethnomathematics, and to investigate the Islamic character found in Gayo tribe local wisdom. The results of the investigation will be usedto develop ideas of mathematics learning integrating the Gayo tribe local wisdom and the Islamic character. This studyused a semi-structured interview that focused on four questions: where to look, how to look, what it is, and what it means. The data were analyzed qualitatively, followed by the concept given by Miles and Huberman.The finding shows that the local wisdom of Gayo tribe relates to mathematics. Measurementconcept was found inkal, bambu, kaleng, naleh, kunce, and padang used to measure the dose of zakat. On the other hand, geometry concept was in relation tokerawang motives, such as matanelo, pucuk rebung, puter tali, emun berkune, peger, emun berangkat, rante, emun beriring and cucuk pengong. The value of Islamcan be foundin the motives of kerawang Gayo. The study implies that the Gayo tribe local wisdom and Islamic characteristics could be used for mathematics learning.