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January 2000
MATHEMATICS:
Math in African culture
Fractal geometry—the geometry of similar shapes repeated
on ever-shrinking scales—is apparent everywhere in Africa
from hairstyles to religious practices, says new research by Ron
Eglash, assistant professor of science and technology studies
at Rensselaer Polytechnictechnic Institute.
Eglash thinks this discovery could be an effective new tool for
teaching African-Americans about their mathematical heritage,
and a new approach to integrating information technology with
Third World development.
“One of the benefits of including indigenous mathematics
in education is that it helps combat the worst forms of biological
determinism—the myth that our thinking is limited by our
racial genetics,” Eglash said. “And that’s a problem
for all ethnic groups.”
Gloria Gilmer, an African-American math educator who runs the
Milwaukee-based MathTech Inc., suggested Eglash focus on the geometry
of black hairstyles as a good way to connect with contemporary
African-American culture.
 |
The
hair style of this Yoruba girl serves as a fractal model that
adapts the scaling of her braids to the non-linear contours
of her head. |
Eglash documents fractal patterns in cornrow hairstyles, weavings,
architecture of African villages, and Santeria, the traditional
religion of the Yoruba people of West Africa, as well as in many
forms of African art.
His Web site (www.rpi.edu/~eglash/eglash.htm)
includes an interactive Java simulation that allows students to
explore fractal geometry in relation to cornrow hairstyles. Eglash
hopes to eventually create a CD-ROM-based math lab that includes
his African fractals material as well as African-American designs
such as hairstyles, quilts, and other arts and crafts.
Eglash said fractal design themes reveal that traditional African
mathematics may be much more complicated than previously thought.
He documents his findings in a new book, African Fractals:
Modern Computing and Indigenous Design, published by Rutgers
University Press.
CONTACT: Theresa Bourgeois, (518) 276-2840,
bourgt@rpi.edu
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