Ethnomathematical Exploration of Lontara Manuscripts Sure' Eja and Sure' Kutika

Sumardin Raupu

Abstract: Local culture-based mathematics learning or ethnomathematics is a term used to associate mathematics and culture, which aims to attract cultural experiences and broaden students' horizons so that mathematical knowledge coexists in a social and cultural environment. This thesis discusses the mathematical exploration in the Lontara manuscript, especially sure' eja and sure' kutika. This study aims to: 1) discover the philosophical meanings in sure 'eja and sure' kutika; 2) know the ethnomathematical concepts contained in sure' spelling and sure' kutika. This type of research is qualitative, with an ethnographic approach with data sources obtained from observations, interviews, and documentation studies. This research was conducted at the Batara Guru Museum in Palopo City in July 2022. The results of the study show that: 1) The philosophical meanings contained in the sure' eja script are, first, a fragment of the Telaga Munajat poem, which is that this poem contains Sufism teachings that describe the reality of worldly life which is temporary, confronted with the eternal afterlife. Second, sure' eja, classified as elong kallolo, contains hidden and deep meanings in riddles to express one's feelings towards the person he loves. While sure' kutika means determining good or bad days and times for Bugis people in carrying out various activities/works that are believed to bring safety or reinforcements. 2) The structure of sure' eja, there are concepts of number patterns and arithmetic sequences, while calculating days in sure' kutika contains the concept of positive integers.

Keywords: Ethnomathematics, Lontara, Sure' Eja, Sure' Kutika