Expressions of calculus in the Miskitu culture of Sandy Bay Sirpi community, South Atlantic Autonomous Region

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to contribute to the pertinence of teaching mathematics based on the expressions of calculus in the Miskitu culture of Sandy Bay Sirpi community. The methodology was qualitative ethnographic with a broad description of the main expressions of calculus in the Miskitu culture. The techniques and tools that were used corresponded to observation, profound interviews, focus groups and field notes, in order to systematize the different elements of everyday life and the cosmovision of the Miskitus of Sandy Bay Sirpi.

The main results have been classified into six fundamental and universal ethnomathematics activities of cultural groups, such as to count, locate, measure, design, play and explain. In counting, since ancient times, the Miskitu people have their own numbering in their language. Similarly, they perform measurements of length, mass and weight, using parts of the body (hands, feet, fingers), and materials such as wood crates. According to time measures: the sun, the lunar cycle and the Miskitu calendar are the main strategies of localization. On the other hand, for house constructions, canoes and others, different geometric shapes are used.

CIENCIA E INTERCULTURALIDAD, Volume 12, Year 6, No. 1, Jan-July, 2013; 8-20