Interweaving Geometry and Art: Examples from Africa

Abstract

One role of ethnomathematics as a research area resides in contributing to studies that permit to initiate the recognition of mathematical ideas of peoples ‘forgotten’ in books on the history of mathematics, valuing their knowledge in diverse manners, including stimulating the view that this knowledge may be incorporated into mathematics education. A fertile area of exploration of symmetry and geometry among these peoples has been the conception and fabrication of twill-plaited mats and baskets. Ethnomathematical study of plane patterns of mats and baskets contributes to the maintaining the collective and national cultural memory and prevents the permanent loss of several original, creative ideas and their resulting patterns. The basket and mat weaving presents a concrete example of how tradition and innovation may be interwoven. The article introduces an exceptional basket weaver, Arlindo Bendzane, whom the author met at the market in Palmeira, Mozambique. Bendzane has invented and explored a great variety of designs by changing the regular weaving texture through the introduction of lines of discontinuity or by using colored strips.