ETNOMATEMATIKA DALAM PENDIDIKAN MATEMATIKA DI AFRIKA DAN LUARAN MATEMATIKA SISWA: TELAAH LITERATUR SISTEMATIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23969/symmetry.v11i1.56119Abstract
This article synthesizes empirical evidence on ethnomathematics-based instruction and students' mathematics outcomes in Africa through a systematic literature review. The review followed the PRISMA 2020 flow. The final corpus consisted of 34 articles that met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using descriptive mapping and narrative synthesis. Data were extracted based on authors, year, country, research design, participants, mathematical topic, cultural resources, outcomes, and main findings. The results show that the literature is dominated by Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, with a clear increase in publications after 2020. The most frequently examined outcomes include achievement, conceptual understanding, retention, interest, attitude, participation, and cultural connection. Overall, ethnomathematics-based instruction is reported to make mathematics more contextual, meaningful, and connected to students' lived experiences. This review highlights the need for stronger teacher preparation, contextual teaching materials, and more detailed methodological reporting in future studies.
Downloads
References
Abah, J. A., Iji, C. O., Abakpa, B. O., & Anyagh, P. I. (2021). Design, implementation and assessment of a web-based ethnomathematics instructional content repository for mathematics teachers in Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Mathematics and Science Teacher, 1(1), em002. https://doi.org/10.29333/mathsciteacher/11075
Abasi, A. U., & George, I. G. (2025). Ethnomathematics and students' interest, attitude and academic performance in mathematics in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(Special Issue on Education), 2430-2444. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.903SEDU0189
Accra-Jaja, F. S., Adolphus, T., & Omeodu, D. M. (2023). Effect of ethnomathematics-based instructional approach on academic performance in plane geometry among senior secondary school students in Rivers State. International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research, 11(3), 43-51.
Aikpitanyi, L. A., & Eraikhuemen, L. (2017). Mathematics teachers' use of ethnomathematics approach in mathematics teaching in Edo State. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(4), 34-39.
Asare, B. (2026). Influence of ethnomathematics-based instruction on students' attitudes, participation, and cultural connections in mathematics learning in Ghana. Cogent Education, 13(1), 2612395. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2612395
Atta, S. A., Bonyah, E., & Boateng, F. O. (2024). Integrating Akan traditional art to enhance conceptual understanding in mathematics: Perspectives of educators and artisans. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 13(2), 81-100.
Bukari, H. I. (2026). Ethnomathematics for sustainable and culturally responsive mathematics education in Ghana: An ethnographic exploration. Sustainable Education and Digital Transformation, 1(2), e35703. https://doi.org/10.33902/SEDT.202635703
Chahine, I. C. (2020). Towards African humanicity: Re-mythogolising Ubuntu through reflections on the ethnomathematics of African cultures. Critical Studies in Teaching and Learning, 8(2), 95-111. https://doi.org/10.14426/cristal.v8i2.251
Edoho, E. A., & Ekpo, I. M. (2018). Ethnomathematics: The role of culture in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Prestige Journal of Education, 1(1), 98-105.
Enun, E. E., & Iyaji, T. O. (2025). Primary school teachers' perceptions of the practicability of ethnomathematics pedagogy and teaching of school mathematics in Southern Cross River State, Nigeria. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(2), 1274-1282. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.2.0480
Eraikhuemen, L., Idehen, F. O., & Oteze, I. K. (2024). A survey of Edo culture for the development of ethnomathematics for Nigerian primary schools. African Journal of Science, Technology & Mathematics Education, 10(6), 952-966.
Hadebe-Ndlovu, B. N. (2022). Teachers' experiences of indigenous games in the early grades. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 12(1), a931. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v12i1.931
James, A. T., & Tertsea, A. J. (2021). The effect of ethnomathematics on junior secondary school students' achievement and retention in geometry in Benue State, Nigeria: A Corona virus pandemic case study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 6(4), 95-100.
Kabuye Batiibwe, M. S. (2024). The role of ethnomathematics in mathematics education: A literature review. Asian Journal for Mathematics Education, 3(4), 383-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527263241300400
Kyeremeh, P., Awuah, F. K., & Dorwu, E. (2023). Integration of ethnomathematics in teaching geometry: A systematic review and bibliometric report. Journal of Urban Mathematics Education, 16(2), 68-89.
Kyeremeh, P., Awuah, F. K., & Orey, D. C. (2025a). Challenges regarding the integration of ethnomathematical perspectives into geometry teaching: The faculty reflection. Asian Journal for Mathematics Education, 4(3), 416-430. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527263251326330
Kyeremeh, P., Awuah, F. K., & Orey, D. C. (2025b). Modeling the antecedents of integration of ethnomathematical perspectives into geometry teaching among faculty: A logistic regression analysis. Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education, 10(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.23917/jramathedu.v10i1.6374
Mabotja, K. (2025). Ethnomathematics in pre-service mathematics teacher education: A glance through culturally responsive pedagogy. In Teacher training and student learning: Past values, present uncertainties and future prospects. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1009374
Manoo, B. S., Anyona, N. J., & Nduku, E. (2024). Understanding and awareness of ethnomathematics approach in demystifying teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools of Kathonzweni Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(9), 165-190.
Meeran, S. (2024). Decolonising mathematics education: Teachers' initial experiences of using ethnomathematical games in the intermediate phase. Interdisciplinary Journal of Sociality Studies, 4(s1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.38140/ijss-2024.vol4.s1.03
Meeran, S., & Niranjan, C. (2026). The game of Kgati as an implementation tool in teaching intermediate phase mathematics: A case of two schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Education Sciences, 16(2), 294. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16020294
Mosimege, M. (2024). The history and development of ethnomathematics research and activities in South Africa. e-Almanaque EtnoMatemaTicas Brasis, 2024(2), 223-234. https://doi.org/10.29327/2366212.2024.2-14
Mosimege, M., & Egara, F. O. (2023). Students' perceptions of mathematics teachers' usage of ethnomathematics materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 25(2), 443-459.
Mukwambo, M., Zulu, A., & Kayangula, M. (2023). Exploring numeracy teaching and learning by using ethnomathematics. International Journal on Teaching and Learning Mathematics, 6(2), 63-72. https://doi.org/10.18860/ijtlm.v6i2.2023
Nkopodi, N., & Mosimege, M. (2009). Incorporating the indigenous game of morabaraba in the learning of mathematics. South African Journal of Education, 29(3), 377-392.
Oraneto, M. C., & Omile, A. N. (2021). Effects of ethnomathematics instructional approach on students' achievement and interest in mathematics. African Journal of Science, Technology & Mathematics Education, 6(1), 95-102.
Osei, S. K., Bonyah, E., & Arthur, Y. D. (2023). Teachers' knowledge and usage of ethnomathematics in Asokwa Municipality (Kumasi) of Ashanti Region of Ghana. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 4(4), 918-926.
Owusu-Darko, I., Sabtiwu, R., Doe, F., Owusu-Mintah, B., & Ofosu, E. K. (2023). Akan ethnomathematics: Demonstrating its pedagogical action on the teaching and learning of mensuration and geometry. Journal of Mathematics and Science Teacher, 3(2), em042. https://doi.org/10.29333/mathsciteacher/13281
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hrobjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Salsabilla, N. A., Kartasasmita, B. G., & Saputra, J. (2023). Peningkatan kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa SMP melalui model Problem Based Learning berbantuan GeoGebra. Symmetry: Pasundan Journal of Research in Mathematics Learning and Education, 8(1), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.23969/symmetry.v8i1.8857
Saputra, J., Amalia, R. N., & Fisher, D. (2024). Peningkatan kemampuan komunikasi matematis siswa SMP melalui model Learning Cycle 7E berbantuan Quizizz. Symmetry: Pasundan Journal of Research in Mathematics Learning and Education, 9(1), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.23969/symmetry.v9i1.8859
Saputra, J., Selfiana, V., & Fisher, D. (2025). Implementasi model Problem-Based Learning berbantuan Kahoot terhadap peningkatan kemampuan penalaran matematis siswa SMK. Symmetry: Pasundan Journal of Research in Mathematics Learning and Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.23969/symmetry.v10i1.28854
Shimwandi, R. N., Ngololo, E. N., & Kanandjebo, L. N. (2024). Indigenous knowledge content & mathematics curriculum: Some evidence from a Namibian perspective. Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Sciences, 7(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.35544/jjeoshs.v7i2.93
Suci, I. C. T., Putra, B. Y. G., & Saputra, J. (2024). Dampak model Problem Based Learning berbantuan Wizer.me terhadap resiliensi matematis siswa. Juring (Journal for Research in Mathematics Learning), 7(3), 275-282. https://doi.org/10.24014/juring.v7i3.31480
Sunzuma, G., & Maharaj, A. (2019). Teacher-related challenges affecting the integration of ethnomathematics approaches into the teaching of geometry. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(9), em1744. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/108457
Sunzuma, G., & Maharaj, A. (2020). In-service mathematics teachers' knowledge and awareness of ethnomathematics approaches. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2020.1736351
Sunzuma, G., Zezekwa, N., Gwizangwe, I., & Zinyeka, G. (2021). A comparison of the effectiveness of ethnomathematics and traditional lecture approaches in teaching consumer arithmetic: Learners' achievement and teachers' views. Pedagogical Research, 6(4), em0103. https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/11215
Venketsamy, R. (2024). Ethnomathematics: The use of cultural games in mathematics in the early grades: A South African case study. Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 11(2), 189-196. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15258296
Weldeana, H. N. (2016). Ethnomathematics in Ethiopia: Futile or fertile for mathematics education? Momona Ethiopian Journal of Science, 8(2), 146-167. https://doi.org/10.4314/mejs.v8i2.4
Wibawa, T. P., Eliyarti, W., & Saputra, J. (2023). Pengaruh model Problem Based Learning terhadap kemampuan pemahaman konsep matematis berbantuan GeoGebra. Symmetry: Pasundan Journal of Research in Mathematics Learning and Education, 8(1), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.23969/symmetry.v8i1.8851
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Symmetry: Pasundan Journal of Research in Mathematics Learning and Education

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Hak Cipta sepenuhnya ditangan jurnal.














