Ethnomathematics in Sasaknese musical instruments: Exploration of geometry concept in Gendang Beleq

• Main Authors: Novitasari, Dwi, Andi, Trisnowali M. S., Risfianty, Dwi Kartika, Triutami, Tabita Wahyu, Lu’luilmaknun, Ulfa
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropology; Data analysis; Mathematical analysis; Mathematics; Musical instruments; Principles; Qualitative research
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0122581

This study aims to explore one of the most famous traditional musical instruments of the Sasak culture in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, namely the gendang beleq, from an ethnomathematics point of view. This study will discuss the relationship between gendang beleq and mathematics, as well as to find out how the concepts and principles of geometry are contained in gendang beleq. This study is qualitative research with an ethnographic approach (cognitive anthropology) and a theoretical approach to get a description and deep analysis of Sasaknese musical instruments based on their relationship with mathematics. The subjects in this study consisted of two Sasak cultural observers and two gendang beleq’s craftsmen. The data in this study are the results of interviews with subjects, observation, and documentation. Data analysis is not only based on the researchers’ interpretation but also on the structure of the Sasak community’s ideas. The results showed that there were geometric principles and concepts used by the ancestors of the Sasaknese in making gendang beleq. The existing geometric concepts include two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric shapes, the principle of translation, and the principle of dilation. These results are expected to benefit Sasaknese in Lombok, the government of West Nusa Tenggara, and also educators, especially in the field of mathematics by implementing the ideas in teaching and learning.