Gerdes, Paulus.

Women, art and geometry in Southern Africa / Paulus Gerdes. - Trenton, NJ : Africa World Press, c1998. - xi, 244 p. : ill., map ; 24 cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 234-237).

Sipatsi - woven handbags -- Titja - coiled baskets -- Mat weaving -- Buhlolo - string figures -- Oku-taleka - decorated pottery -- Mafielo - grass brooms -- Nembo - tattooing and body painting -- Ovilame - bead ornaments -- Litema - mural decoration -- Ikghuptu - mural decoration -- Pythagoras a woman? - Example of an educational-mathematical examination -- On the Geometry of Pottery Decoration by Yao Women (Nyassa Province) -- Classification of strip patterns. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. App. 1. App. 2.

The main objective of the book is to call attention to some mathematical ideas incorporated in the patterns invented by women in Southern Africa. An appreciation of these mathematical traditions may lead to their preservation, revival and development. Use of female art traditional forms has implications in the field of mathematics education.

0865436010 (hb) 0865436029 (pb)

98021977


Handicraft--Africa, Southern.
Decoration and ornament--Africa, Southern.
Ethnomathematics--Africa, Southern.
Geometry in art.
Women artisans--Africa, Southern.

TT119.S64 / G47 1998

745.4/4968