Ethnomathematical study on folk dances: focusing on the choreography

Abstract

The investigation in ethnomathematics we are developing aims to analyse the mathematical structure inherent in various elements that constitute folk dances of Northern Portugal and Galicia, which is an autonomous community of Spain, specifically choreography, music and accessories. Focusing on choreography, we intend to represent and describe the movements that dancers perform during dances. Different types of choreography were identified in folk dances based on dispositions that although dancers may not remain fixed through the dance, are those to which they end up returning. In addition, diagrams and numerical schemes were elaborated to represent the successive positions occupied by dancers or pairs through the folk dances. The mathematical ideas and procedures resulting from this ethnomathematical research will then be used for school practice, through the construction of tasks to be applied in the classroom.