Exploration of Mathematical Concepts in Creations Dance of South Sumatera

Abstract

South Sumatera is rich in traditional and legendary dance forms, Piring Kendi (Pirdi) being one of them. This dance form is unique and energetic on a way the dancer with plates held on the palm of each hand and walking on a jug and rotating the plates carefully so that the plate is always horizontal. Dance as one of context to get promote engagement and learning aspects of mathematics. This research aimed to explore a mathematical concept pirdi’s dance. This research is related to the Indonesia Realistic Mathematics Approach (PMRI) as a learning approach used. One of alternative guides students to understand concepts by constructing themselves through prior knowledge in daily life. The method used is a qualitative approach with an ethnographic method. Ethnographic method to describe, explain and analyze a culture. The research data were literature studies; observation, researchers first investigated by interviewing and observation the creator of the Pirdi dance and Pirdi Dance’s coach as a supporting informant to know contains techniques variations of movements. The results of this research is Pirdi’s dance contain variations of movements and floor pattern obtained shows that there are mathematical concepts including relationships between area, perimeter, geometry, shapes, patterns, angles, translation, reflection, rotational, symmetry, measurement, multiplication, subtraction, division, addition, equilibrium. These activities can be integrated with PMRI approach which could give an idea that the Pirdi dance contained mathematical concepts.