Last modified: 2024-10-02
Abstract
Cultures of Nias can serve as an approach to learning mathematics. However, not many educators in Nias use this culture as a context in learning mathematics. This study aims to explore the traditional units of measurement of the Nias people that can be utilized by mathematics teachers as a foundation for delivering appropriate mathematics content. This study is an ethnographic study in which the sources are literature reviews, observations on traditional measuring instruments of the Nias people, and interviews with a traditional figure who understands Nias customs and culture to enhance understanding derived from literature and observations. Data analysis was carried out by data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions, and verification. The results showed some traditional units of measurement used by Nias people that could be used as starting points in presenting mathematics content. This units include the measurements for pig (afore), rice (lewuo sesolo atau hao), water quantities (sole, asoa), length measurement units (lito, si’u, ndofa, lowi-lowi, beka), land area measurement unit, and a unit of measurement for estimating the quantity of an object.