An Invitation to Ethnomathematics

Programa

10:00 – 10:05. Presentation of the activity, Oscar Garcia-Prada (ICMAT, Madrid)

10:05 – 10:45. “Mathematics and art in Africa”, Steven Bradlow (UIUC, Illinois)

Many motifs in African decorative arts and cultural practices display distinctive order. Mathematics provides an effective language for describing this order, and conversely, the arts and crafts exploit an interesting range of mathematical principles.

We will explore both sides of this interaction in several examples, including Ndebele house decorations, Zulu wire baskets, Mozambican sipatsi basketry, Ghanain Adinkra symbols, and Chokwe sona drawings, and will discuss some pedagogical opportunities presented by these examples.

10:45 – 11:15. Coffee break

11:15 – 11:55. “Symmetry as a bridge between mathematics and culture”, Antonio Costa (UNED, Madrid)

Symmetry is a fundamental concept in mathematics and science, but it is also a structural principle deeply embedded in cultural expressions such as art, music, and architecture. In this lecture, we will explore how the notion of symmetry serves as a bridge between mathematical thinking and culture, showing how mathematical ideas can be drawn from the analysis of certain cultural expressions and how these ideas, in turn, deepen our understanding of artistic works. Through a concrete example—the geometric orna entation in Islamic art—we will illustrate this interplay between mathematics, and culture.

12:00 – 12:40. “Quipus, a numbering system?”, Manuel de León (ICMAT, Madrid)

Quipus are made of cords and knots and were used by the Incas as a record of data and a means of communication. It is an indigenous Andean instrument. After the arrival of the Spanish, many were destroyed, making their understanding difficult. Their meaning is still debated today. In this talk, we will discuss the different numbering systems developed by ancient American cultures, and in particular, the Inca quipus.