Ethnomathematical Study on Traditional Wedding Hantaran: 44-Fold Cloth from Lingga Regency

Abstract

Several cultures in the Riau Islands Province are closely related to mathematics, but many people are unaware of this. Therefore, researchers are interested in further researching the mathematical practices found in the culture of Lingga Regency, Riau Islands, namely in making 44-fold cloth. There are indications of mathematical activities in making process of this traditional wedding hantaran. This research aims to describe the results of ethnomathematics research in making 44-fold cloth in Lingga, Riau Islands, including mathematical activities and concepts. This qualitative research uses an ethnographic approach. Data was collected through observations, interviews, and documentation to identify mathematical activities and concepts behind making 44-fold cloths. The researchers are the main instrument in this study. The data obtained from the instruments were analyzed based on data analysis for ethnographic qualitative research. The research results show embodied mathematical activities in making 44-fold cloth: measuring with standard units, folding with standard fold lines (axis of symmetry), and counting. Meanwhile, there are rooted mathematical concepts such as length measurement, plane figure, fold symmetry, rotation symmetry, angle, congruency, and basic numbers in making 44-fold cloth. This study suggests for using common occurrences to teach mathematics as a foundational subject before formal mathematics instruction.