Exploration on Ethnomathematics Phenomena in Kudus Regency and its Optimization in the Mathematics Learning

Abstract

This study aims to explore the ethnomathematics phenomena in Kudus, a regency in Central Java province, Indonesia, and its optimization in mathematics learning. We explored the cultural sites and customs of the Kudus community, including the traditional clothing, traditional food, local units, and children’s traditional games. We conducted some observations, interviews, documentation, and literature review to collect data, and then the data were analysed descriptively. The results suggest that there are various forms of ethnomathematics found in Kudus Regency. The mosque of Menara Kudus and the Kudus traditional house consist of many mathematical concepts such as planar figures and solid figures. The embroidery designs in the Kudus traditional clothing and some traditional equipment also show many figures, such as caping which has a cone shape. Furthermore, we also found some local units used in daily life, such as sa-unting, sa-ombyok, and se-tandan which each represents a different number of things. The children’s traditional game, gundu, was also interesting and potential to be used in mathematics learning. Various forms of ethnomathematics can be optimized to improve the quality of mathematics learning using problem-based learning and project-based learning models.