Ethnomathematics: Ideofacts, Sociofacts, and Artefacts of Mathematical Context in Yogyakarta

Authors

  • Sugiman Sugiman Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Nageri Yogyakarta, Colombo 1, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
  • Ahmad Fauzan Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Padang, Prof. Dr. Hamka, Padang, SumateraWest Sumatera 25171, Indonesia
  • Mohammad Archi Maulyda Department of Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, Universitas Mataram, Majapahit 62, Gomong, Mataram, Sumatera Nusa Tenggara. 83115, Indonesia
  • Rahmah Johar Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Teuku Nyak Arief 441, Banda Aceh, Aceh 23111, Indonesia
  • Lathiful Anwar Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Semarang 5, Malang, East Java 65145, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.451.479

Keywords:

artefact, ethnomathematics, ideofact, mathematical context, sociofact

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this study is to explore ideofacts, sociofacts, and artifacts that have the potential to serve as contexts for teaching mathematics in Yogyakarta.

Methods. This qualitative research employs an ethnographic approach. The study investigates potential locations including the Kotagedhe Mataram Mosque, Prambanan Temple, and the Planting Plantation System in Yogyakarta. Instruments used include interview guides, observation sheets, and artifact exploration Tables. Key informants were selected at each research site to provide ethical insights from an emic perspective, resulting in dialectical data. To ensure data validity, the researchers sutilised data triangulation (interviews, observations, and documentation) and conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with cultural experts and ethnomathematicians to review and discuss the findings.

Results. The findings indicate that each location contains mathematical content applicable to teaching, particularly in geometry (both two-dimensional and three-dimensional), pre-algebra (multiplication), and number theory (least common multiple).

Conclusion. The study demonstrates how cultural contexts, such as the Kotagedhe Mataram Mosque and Prambanan Temple, can be integrated into elementary mathematics education, illustrating mathematical concepts such as spatial geometry, symmetry, and multiplication. It identifies potential learning tools, including folded paper, flat-shaped paper, LEGO, and Augmented Reality, to enhance the teaching of these concepts. Additionally, a Hypothetical Learning Trajectory (HLT) is developed to guide the learning process based on these cultural contexts and tools.

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Author Biographies

  • Sugiman Sugiman, Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Nageri Yogyakarta, Colombo 1, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

    Professor of Mathematics Education, researcher, and lecturer at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Department of Mathematics Education. His research focuses on realistic mathematics education and the integration of ethnomathematics in schools. Sugiman has published over 100 scientific publications, including articles in Scopus- and WoS-indexed journals, books, and book chapters. Sugiman contributed to this research by designing interview instruments, observing and documenting cultural artifacts, and drafting the Hypothetical Learning Trajectory (HLT) based on field findings. Scopus ID: 57204035834.

  • Ahmad Fauzan, Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Padang, Prof. Dr. Hamka, Padang, SumateraWest Sumatera 25171, Indonesia

    Professor of Mathematics Education, researcher, and lecturer at Universitas Negeri Padang (Indonesia) in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Scopus ID: 56502127500. Author of several scientific publications in international journals indexed by Scopus and WoS. His research focuses on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) and the integration of ethnomathematics into mathematics learning in schools. Ahmad Fauzan contributed to this study by analyzing research data and conducting a literature review on ethnographic research and ethnomathematics.

  • Mohammad Archi Maulyda, Department of Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar, Universitas Mataram, Majapahit 62, Gomong, Mataram, Sumatera Nusa Tenggara. 83115, Indonesia

    Associate Lecturer in Pendidikan Guru Sekolah Dasar at Universitas Mataram. Author of multiple scientific publications, including articles and research papers in mathematics education, with a focus on the development of culture-based learning tools for elementary schools. Address: No. 1, St. Colombo, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Scopus ID: 57216163894.

  • Rahmah Johar, Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Teuku Nyak Arief 441, Banda Aceh, Aceh 23111, Indonesia

    PhD in Mathematics Education, professor at Universitas Syiah Kuala (Indonesia) in the Department of Mathematics Education, editor-in-chief of the Jurnal Didaktik Matematika (www.jurnal.unsyiah.ac.id/DM). Rahmah Johar has been a lecturer at Universitas Syiah Kuala since 1998 and has authored more than 100 scientific publications, including articles, books, and chapters. She actively develops and promotes Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) and collaborates with the Freudenthal Institute, Universiteit Utrecht, on designing mathematics textbooks. Her research focuses on teacher professional development, reasoning, character building, democratic classrooms, video lessons, and technology in mathematics teaching.

  • Lathiful Anwar, Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Semarang 5, Malang, East Java 65145, Indonesia

    PhD in Mathematics Education, associate professor at the Department of Mathematics, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. Lathiful Anwar specializes in research areas such as ethnomathematics, realistic mathematics education, argumentation/proof, mathematical literacy, and educational design research. He has published numerous research articles in international journals, contributing significantly to the field of mathematics education. Lathiful Anwar’s role in this research includes analyzing research data and overseeing the literature review process, particularly in ethnographic research and ethnomathematics.    

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Published

2025-06-27

How to Cite

Sugiman, S., Fauzan, A. . ., Maulyda, M. A. ., Johar, R. ., & Anwar, L. . (2025). Ethnomathematics: Ideofacts, Sociofacts, and Artefacts of Mathematical Context in Yogyakarta. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(1), 451-479. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.2.451.479