Tony Gilson

Measuring Time:

The Kuma speaking population, have the ability to tell the time of a day. To say the time of the day during which something had occurred or is to take place, they describe the position of sun.

2.4 Patterns and Designs

There also exist traditional activities which creates patterns. In the kuma language group, during moka ceremonies or discussions, they stand in rows and columns. In such occasions, the women usually stand in front of the men as shown in figure 2.40.

Figure 2.40: Moka standing patterns

In addition, there are also patterns created which have geometrical shapes. A good example of this, is in the time when young women and men sit around the fire. The sitting arrangement is arranged as: man-woman-man-woman-man-woman …………… in a circle around the fire.

2.5 Games and Puzzles

The Kuma language speaking group play games which seem to be mathematical. The ‘playing stones’ as it is commonly known is one good example. In this event each person begins the game by picking up a stone, then pick up two stones, then pick up three stones and so on. Such practices represents the ability to count.

Another interesting game is the long jump which is commonly known as the butterfly. This requires three sticks to be laid on the ground in straight lines. The player runs and jumps before the first stick and must land over the second stick and jump again to land over the third stick. After every jump is completed, the separation is then increased. This obviously involves the mathematical concept of measurement.

A game known as the ‘steal man’ is also another which illustrate time. “Kala bus” is a game in which two teams stand on both side of the field. One representative from each side runs in while the other tries to catch him or her. If the opponent succeed to touch the other, the chasers teams are qualified to punch, push or any form of action can be done against him or her. In spite of this, the victimized player must remain in the field of play until a team mate rescues him or her. Such games as this, illustrates chances of probabilities.

2.6: Providing Explanations

People in this cultural setting, do also have their own explanations for various events and phenomena. For example, in the case of a volcanic explosion, they describe this as the pushing out of the mountains and molten rock and ashes. They explain this situation as an indication that God is not pleased with them and is viewed as a form of punishment. Apart from that, they also use symbols which represents specific messages. One examples, is the use of a special species of fern. This fern is used to show that such a property, road or food crops are prohibited.