AFRICAN GAMES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION: A CULTURAL AND CONTEXTUALIZED APPROACH WITH MANCALA

Abstract

The article addresses the integration of the African game Mancala into mathematics education. The objective was to develop mathematical skills and promote understanding of African culture among 6th-grade students in São Mateus-ES. The justification was to seek a holistic and culturally enriching approach to mathematics education, valuing diversity. The proposed research problem was: How to integrate the Mancala game into mathematics education in a way that develops mathematical skills and promotes understanding of African culture? The methodology used was qualitative, exploratory, and practical research, with six stages ranging from introducing the game to researching different ways to play it. The results show that Mancala captured students' attention, promoting the construction of strategies and incorporating African cultural elements into daily school life. It is concluded that implementation faces challenges requiring teacher training and comprehensive assessment methods, contributing to a more inclusive and contextualized mathematics education.