Exploring Mathematical Concepts in Rebana Art: An Ethnomathematical Approach for Junior High School Learning

  • Putri Ramadhani Raden Intan State Islamic University of Lampung
  • Muhammad Subchi Darul Falah Junior High School
  • Ana Mega Silviani Darul Falah Junior High School
Keywords: Ethnomathematics, Geometry Concepts, Junior High School Education, Learning Resources, Tambourine Art

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study aims to identify ethnomathematical concepts in rebana art related to one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional geometry, arithmetic sequences, and integer operations. Furthermore, this study also seeks to test the potential of rebana art as a source of mathematics learning for junior high school students.

Methodology: The data obtained were qualitative, while the sources were obtained from observations, interviews, and documentation related to the Rebana Art. The instrument in this study was the researcher herself. The tools used were interview guidelines, observations, and documentation. Data validity techniques were carried out through triangulation through checking method triangulation, source triangulation, and time triangulation, with the data analyzed descriptively qualitatively.

Main Findings: The findings show that rebana art contains ethnomathematic concepts related to one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional geometry through measurement activities, including angles, circles, rectangles, cylinders, and cones. The concept of arithmetic sequences is identified in Qasidah rebana, while integer operations appear in Hadrah rebana performances. Furthermore, rebana art can be aligned with the curriculum as a source of mathematics learning for Grades VII, VIII, and IX.

Novelty/Originality of this study: This study offers a new contribution by systematically mapping specific mathematical topics across different types of tambourine arts and explicitly aligning them with lower secondary school curriculum levels. This study advances ethnomathematics research by showing how local musical traditions can be transformed into structured mathematical learning resources grounded in formal curriculum standards.

References

M. Jamil, T. Batool Bokhari, and J. Iqbal, “Incorporation of Critical Thinking Skills Development: A Case of Mathematics Curriculum for Grades I-XII,” J. Asian Dev. Stud., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 375–382, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.62345/jads.2024.13.1.32.

Q. Wang and A. H. Abdullah, “Enhancing Students’ Critical Thinking Through Mathematics in Higher Education: A Systemic Review,” Sage Open, vol. 14, no. 3, Jul. 2024, doi: 10.1177/21582440241275651.

D. Harefa, “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN LEARNING AND MATHEMATICS LEARNING OUTCOMES,” AFORE J. Pendidik. Mat., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 112–122, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.57094/afore.v2i2.1054.

A. Windasari, B. Syefrinando, V. Wiliyanti, H. Komikesari, and Yuberti, “The influence of the blended learning model on students’ concept understanding ability viewed from self-confidence,” 2024, p. 020013. doi: 10.1063/5.0206001.

S. Yanti, “The Role of Ethnomathematics in Enhancing Contextual,” Ijhabs, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 321–330, 2025.

S. Vimbelo and A. Bayaga, “Transforming Mathematics Education in TVET Colleges Through Humanising Pedagogy: An Exploration of Teaching Approaches, Student Engagement, and Real-life Examples,” IETE J. Educ., vol. 65, no. 2, pp. 139–154, Jul. 2024, doi: 10.1080/09747338.2024.2324808.

R. Simbolon, “Literature Study: Integration of Ethnomathematics in Mathematics Learning in Schools,” JMEA J. Math. Educ. Appl., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 70–76, 2024, doi: 10.30596/jmea.v3i2.20332.

R. M. Susanti, G. Gunansyah, and N. Nasution, “Integrating Local Culture into Mathematics Learning: Ethnomathematics Approach Using Udeng Pacul Gowang in Elementary Schools,” J. Innov. Res. Prim. Educ., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 947–957, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.56916/jirpe.v4i3.1472.

E. K. Sandi, “Exploring Ethnomathematics in Local Culture: A Bridge Between Tradition and Classroom Mathematics,” Aksioma Educ. J., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 38–45, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.62872/rbrtaa18.

F. Sam, S. Alam, and P. Patmaniar, “Developing an Ethnomathematics-Based Transformational Geometry Textbook to Enhance Students’ Mathematical Literacy,” Kogn. J. Ris. HOTS Pendidik. Mat., vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1653–1664, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.51574/kognitif.v5i4.3860.

M. S. K. Batiibwe, “Ethnomathematics as a pedagogical tool for mathematics education: opportunities and challenges,” SN Soc. Sci., vol. 5, no. 12, p. 221, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1007/s43545-025-01260-0.

R. Wikasari, H. H. Pardi, and H. R. P. Negara, “Effects of Ethnomathematics-Based Problem-Based Learning on Students’ Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics,” Kogn. J. Ris. HOTS Pendidik. Mat., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 1409–1421, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.51574/kognitif.v5i3.3855.

I. P. A. A. Payadnya, I. G. A. P. A. Wulandari, K. R. Puspadewi, and S. Saelee, “The significance of ethnomathematics learning: a cross-cultural perspectives between Indonesian and Thailand educators,” J. Multicult. Educ., vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 508–522, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.1108/JME-05-2024-0049.

M. Turmuzi, I. G. P. Suharta, and I. N. Suparta, “Ethnomathematical research in mathematics education journals in Indonesia: A case study of data design and analysis,” Eurasia J. Math. Sci. Technol. Educ., vol. 19, no. 1, p. em2220, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.29333/ejmste/12836.

Ö. Çeziktürk, “Learning of Sustainable Educational Structures,” J. Sustain. Educ. Stud., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 329–340, 2022.

I. Vale and A. Barbosa, “Mathematics and art: Ideas to use in teacher education,” Arts Commun., vol. 3, no. 4, p. 6487, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.36922/ac.6487.

W. Shi and A. Nicolas, “Enhancing Education and Literacy through the Transmission of Tibetan Folk Music Performing Art in Qinghai Province, China,” Int. J. Educ. Lit. Stud., vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 151–158, 2023, doi: 10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.4p.151.

E. Erlidawati and S. Rahmah, “The Educational Values in Fairy Tale Cartoon Film,” JETLEE J. English Lang. Teaching, Linguist. Lit., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 11–17, Feb. 2022, doi: 10.47766/jetlee.v2i1.203.

B. A. Khasanah, R. C. I. Prahmana, S. Adiputra, and M. Arnal-Palacián, “The beauty of mathematics in Indonesian culture: An impactful and meaningful context in number patterns learning,” JRAMathEdu (Journal Res. Adv. Math. Educ., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 68–80, 2025, doi: 10.23917/jramathedu.v10i2.10441.

Z. Z. Usman and H. N. Rahman, “RUMAH GADANG: CONTEXTUAL MATHEMATICS IN A SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT FOR NUMERACY ASSESSMENT,” Ethnomathematics J., vol. 5, no. 1, Mar. 2024, doi: 10.21831/ej.v5i1.59976.

L. Agustian, E. Sastrawati, and Indryani, “Eksplorasi Etnomatematika dalam Arsitektur Rumah Adat Suku Komering untuk Pembelajaran Geometri,” J. Pendidik. Mat. dan Sains, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 172–182, May 2025, doi: 10.21831/jpms.v13i1.85335.

N. A. Agustinaningrum and U. A. Deta, “Literature Review: The Role of Local Wisdom-Based Physics Learning with Patil Lele in Enhancing Students’ Scientific Literacy,” Int. J. Res. Community Empower., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 29–37, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.58706/ijorce.v3n1.p29-37.

K. Amo-Asante and E. Bonyah, “Building students’ conceptual understanding of operations on fractions using manipulatives: A junior high school perspective,” Mediterr. J. Soc. Behav. Res., vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 151–159, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.30935/mjosbr/13381.

S. Merdekawati, “Enhancing Students’ Understanding of Operation in Integers through Joyful Learning with GeoGebraTM Applet,” Southeast Asian Math. Educ. J., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 161–170, 2022, [Online]. Available: https://lib.unnes.ac.id/20002/

H. S. Bintoro, R. Aulya, and S. Wanabuliandari, “The Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted with the Ethlaf Application Contains Ethnomathematics to Improve Students’ Conceptual Understanding Capability,” J. Educ. Res. Eval., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 163–172, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.23887/jere.v8i1.69805.

N. F. Utami and R. K. Irawati, “Effectiveness of Ethnomathematics-Based Learning Media on Students’ Understanding of Geometry Material Concepts in Grade IV,” J. Educ. Res. Pract., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 237–250, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.70376/jerp.v2i3.203.

S. N. Dehalwar, K.S.S.N. and Sharma, “Exploring the distinctions between quantitative and qualitative research methods,” Think India J., vol. 27, no. 01, pp. 7–15, 2023.

F. Mulisa, “When Does a Researcher Choose a Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Research Approach?,” Interchange, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 113–131, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10780-021-09447-z.

W. M. Lim, “What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines,” Australas. Mark. J., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 199–229, May 2025, doi: 10.1177/14413582241264619.

P. Tschisgale, P. Wulff, and M. Kubsch, “Integrating artificial intelligence-based methods into qualitative research in physics education research: A case for computational grounded theory,” Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res., vol. 19, no. 2, p. 020123, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020123.

M. J. Phillips, “Towards a social constructionist, criticalist, Foucauldian-informed qualitative research approach: Opportunities and challenges,” SN Soc. Sci., vol. 3, no. 10, p. 175, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1007/s43545-023-00774-9.

S. Marx, “Mapping as critical qualitative research methodology,” Int. J. Res. Method Educ., vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 285–299, May 2023, doi: 10.1080/1743727X.2022.2110231.

Published
2025-12-29
How to Cite
Ramadhani, P., Subchi, M., & Silviani, A. M. (2025). Exploring Mathematical Concepts in Rebana Art: An Ethnomathematical Approach for Junior High School Learning. Interval: Indonesian Journal of Mathematical Education, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.37251/ijome.v3i2.2599
Section
Articles