Reply Math & Natives (education)

Begin forwarded message:

From: "M Robbins" <MRobbins@ktjusd.k12.ca.us>
Date: August 23, 2010 9:14:17 AM PDT
To: "Andre Cramblit" <andrekar@ncidc.org>
Subject: RE: Math & Natives (education)

"bonds of superstition" and "lack of  adequate number symbolism" reeks of prejudicial attitudes.  The Yuroks have several different methods of counting that extend into the very high numbers.
Margo


-----Original Message-----
From: Andre Cramblit [mailto:andrekar@ncidc.org]
Sent: Thu 8/19/2010 12:12 PM
To: Postposterous Blog
Subject: Math & Natives (education)

Mathematics Used by American
Indians North of Mexico
http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/history/american/american.html

For the American Indians north of Mexico, we may say that although 
their bonds of superstition and lack of an adequate number symbolism 
limited their mathematical progress, number still played an important 
role in their religious beliefs. In addition, they used many geometric 
figures in ornamentation and construction.

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The Tarahumara, e.g. raramuri, of northern mexico have a very limited number system. For instance, the number, '8', is 'osanao', which means, '2 X 4'. the number for 9 is 'kimakoi', which means the number before 10. The number, 1000, is 'mili', from the Spanish, 'mil'. their color system is also lacking. For instance, 'chokame' can mean 'black' or simply 'dark'. yet i wouldn't consider them primitive in any sense. They have many, many words related to corn and corn products. A culture simply emphasizes what is important for its purposes. The Tarahumara don't need to balance a check book, pay income tax, etc. etc. so don't need an elaborate number system.
— yrrej