Ethnomatematics Practices in The Traditional Funeral Rituals of The East Noemuti Community

Yohanis Ndapa Deda; Maria Krispina Tafin Nokas; Eduardus Beo Seo Delvion; Oktovianus Mamoh

doi:10.32938/jipm.v11i1.10833

Authors

Yohanis Ndapa Deda Universitas Timor https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8545-2932
Maria Krispina Tafin Nokas Universitas Timor
Eduardus Beo Seo Delvion Universitas Timor
Oktovianus Mamoh Universitas Timor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32938/jipm.v11i1.10833

Keywords:

Ethnomathematics, Funeral Rituals, Tutu Panu Procession, Tanono Procession

Abstract

Traditional funeral rituals contain many mathematical concepts that have not been widely explored. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mathematical activities contained in the traditional death rituals of the East Noemuti community. The study uses a qualitative, ethnographic approach. The research subjects included atoinamaf (uncles/traditional elders), bereaved families, and community leaders in Haekto Village, East Noemuti District, North Central Timor Regency. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and then analyzed using Spradley's ethnographic analysis techniques, including domain analysis, taxonomy, component analysis, and cultural themes. The results of the study show that in the traditional death rituals of the Noemuti Timur community, there are various ethnomathematical activities, including: (1) tutu panu, which represents a hemispherical space; (2) making coffins and digging rectangular graves of a certain size; (3) nailing the coffin with three blows, symbolizing the concept of sacred numbers; (4) the use of circular silver coins as a symbol of spiritual provisions; and (5) the practice of calculating time in the tanono procession. The traditional death rituals of the East Noemuti community are spiritually and culturally meaningful, rich with mathematical concepts that can be used as a source of contextual learning.

References

Adu, A. A., Novianti, B., & Andrian, B. (2023). Death , Funeral Rituals , and Stigma : Perspectives from Mortuary Workers and Bereaved Families. Pastoral Psychology, 305–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-022-01053-9

Amsikan, S., & Deda, Y. N. (2020a). Penguatan Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Pembelajaran Matematika Dengan Menggunakan Motif Kain Tenun Insana Strengthening of Character Education in Mathematics Learning Using Insana Motif of Woven Fabric 1). Jppm, 4(1), 25–30.

Amsikan, S., & Deda, Y. N. (2020b). The Development of Etnomathematics Teaching Materials Using Ume Kbubu Context on Students of Mathematics Education Department. International Journal of Trends in …, 3(2), 96–100. http://ijtmer.saintispub.com/index.php/ijtmer/article/view/77

Amsikan, S., Deda, Y. N., & Sintia, A. (2023). Ethnomathematics exploration of Kaneka and Mariam tradional games in Nangapanda, Nusa Tenggara Timur culture. Journal of Honai Math, 6(2), 88–98. https:/doi.org/10.30862/jhm.v6i2.434

Banase, S., Disnawati, H., Nahak, S., Utara, T. T., Matematis, K., & Molo, N. (2022). EKSPLORASI ETNOMATEMATIKA KAIN TENUN PADA MAYARAKAT OEOLO NTT UNTUK MENGUNGKAPKAN KONSEP MATEMATIS. EDU-MAT: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 2759, 86–94. https://doi.org/10.20527/edumat.v10i1.10698

Costa, C. R. P. (2020). The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society Ritual View. SAGE Publications, 1490–1491.

Deda, Y. N., & Amsikan, S. (2019). Geometry Concept on the Motifs of Woven Fabric in Kefamenanu Community. JRAMathEdu (Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education), 4(1), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.23917/jramathedu.v4i1.6253

Deda, Y. N., Amsikan, S., & Son, A. L. (2026). Integrating traditional games into digital worksheets to enhance numeracy skills of students in border area. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(6), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026365

Deda, Y. N., & Disnawati, H. (2019). Pengembangan Lembar Kerja Mahasiswa (Lkm) Etnomatematika Menggunakan Konteks Motif Kain Tenun Timor. Jurnal Karya Pendidikan Matematika, 6(2), 20. https://doi.org/10.26714/jkpm.6.2.2019.20-26

Deda, Y. N., & Disnawati, H. (2024). Ethnomathematical investigation of traditional games for cultural preservation in the Indonesia-Timor Leste border region. Journal of Honai Math, 7(1), 19–36. https://doi.org/10.30862/jhm.v7i1.512

Deda, Y. N., Disnawati, H., & Daniel, O. (2023). How Important of Students’ Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Facing 21st-Century Challenges: A Systematic Literature Review. Indonesian Journal of Educational Research and Review, 6(3), 563–572. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijerr.v6i3.62206

Deda, Y. N., Disnawati, H., Tamur, M., & Rosa, M. (2024). Global trend of ethnomathematics studies of the last decade: A bibliometric analysis. Infinity Journal, 13(1), 233–250. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v13i1.p233-250

Deda, Y. N., & Maifa, T. (2021a). Development of Student Worksheets Using the Context of Local Wisdom on Integers and Fractions. Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 15(1), 71–82. https://doi.org/10.22342/jpm.15.1.12824.71-82

Deda, Y. N., & Maifa, T. (2021b). Potential Effects of Student Worksheets in Mathematics Using the Context of Timorese Traditional Food on the Topic of Ratios [In bahasa]. AKSIOMA: Jurnal Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika, 10(3), 1952–1962. https://doi.org/10.24127/ajpm.v10i3.3214

Deda, Y. N., Rosa, M., Disnawati, H., & Tamur, M. (2024). Ethnomathematical perspectives on Galah Asin: Investigating the mathematical and cultural significance of a traditional game. Jurnal Elemen, 10(3), 516–532. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v10i3.25467

Hartoyo, A., Fitriawan, D., Siregar, N., & Ganda, F. (2025). Connecting cultural roots with mathematical thinking : A comprehensive meta-analysis of ethnomathematics practices in indonesian classrooms. 16(02), 673–689. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajpm.v16i2.28734

Hidayati, F. N., & Prahmana, R. C. I. (2022). Ethnomathematics’ Research in Indonesia during 2015-2020. Ethnomathematics’ Research in Indonesia, 1(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.48135/ije.v1i1.29-42

Iffah, R. D. L., Subanti, S., Usodo, B., & Nurhasanah, F. (2025). Systematic literature review: Ethnomathematics research in Indonesia. JRAMathEdu (Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education), 10(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.23917/jramathedu.v10i1.5621

Jayanti, I. G. N. (2022). Natoni pada Etnis Dawan dalam Pemertahanan Identitas Kelokalan. SEMINAR NASIONAL BAHASA IBU (SNBI) XIV, 184–191.

Kemendikbudristek. (2022). Kurikulum Merdeka untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Pembelajaran. Kemendikbudristek.

Kou, D., & Deda, Y. N. (2020). Ethnomatematics Exploration of Thelas Keta Traditional Events in the Noemuti Society [In Bahasa]. RANGE: Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 2(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.32938/jpm.v2i1.468

Kou, D., Nahak, S., & Mamoh, O. (2021). TRADISIONAL NOEMUTI KABUPATEN TIMOR TENGAH UTARA. MATH-EDU: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Matematika, 3(1), 77–88.

Nindya, A., & Puspita, L. (2022). Eksplorasi Kajian Etnomatematika Rumah Adat Suku Bangsa Atoni. 5, 379–383.

OECD. (2022). Pisa 2022 Mathematics Framework ( Draft ) [Retrieved on July 10, 2023]. OECD, November 2018. https://pisa2022-maths.oecd.org/files/PISA 2022 Mathematics Framework Draft.pdf

Tlonaen, M. A., & Deda, Y. N. (2021). Exploration Ethnomathematics on Traditional House Ume Kbubu in North Central Timor Districts. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1776(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1776/1/012016

Uskono, D., Deda, Y. N., & Amsikan, S. (2023). Exploration of ethnomathematics in the traditional game of kaneker in Bitefa Village [In Bahasa]. Primatika : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 12(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.30872/primatika.v12i1.1312