Ethnomathematics: Mathematics in Batik Solo

Abstract

Abstract All people in the world have their culture in living the life. These culture is built of activities they do every day in a long time. Batik is one of traditional art of Indonesia’s cultural heritage. It has many varieties, one of them is Batik Solo. It also has many motifs. Ethnomathematics is a study about culture and mathematics concepts. This research is to explore Batik Solo and to find the mathematics concept in it. Using ethnography method, the data collection uses principles in ethnography namely observation, interview, and documentation. The results of the research in this article are twofold. Some Batik Solo motifs contain mathematical elements, especially geometric material, namely the principles of translation and reflection. Besides, that there are vertical and horizontal lines as well as perpendicular and parallel lines included. The mathematical concept, especially the geometry used in the making of Batik, is the use of the tessellation or tiling principle. The tessellation principle is the basis for the development of the Solo batik motifs.