Paper
Crafting Khoplak: Ethnomathematical Observation of an Eco-friendly Dustpan
presenters
Parishmita Kakati
Nationality: India
Residence: India
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
Presence:Face to Face/ On Site
Keywords:
North-east India, Rabhas of Assam, khoplak, ethnomathematics, curved surface
Abstract:
Khoplak, a bamboo dustpan used by the Rabha tribe, reflects their cultural heritage and eco-friendly practices. Rabha is a tribe of Mongoloid origin residing primarily in India’s northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya. A part of them is scattered in India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh. Like other tribes, Rabhas also have their own cultural heritage, which adds to the uniqueness of the tribe. Khoplak is being used daily in every household as a dustpan.
An ethnographic study was conducted among the Rangdani Rabhas of Lengopara village in Goalpara district of Assam, India, which aims to understand the subtle mathematical intricacies intertwined within their culture. Ethnomathematics offers a framework to explore this relationship between culture and mathematics. This research aims to integrate mathematical involvement into the traditional knowledge system of the Rabhas, highlighting the enduring mathematical engagement embedded in khoplak across generations. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of recognizing and preserving these covert mathematical practices within cultures. By acknowledging the mathematical underpinnings of everyday artifacts like khoplak, there emerges a deeper appreciation for the intersection of mathematics and cultural heritage. The study also examines whether there is any folklore associated with khoplak. Ultimately, this research serves as a testament to the richness and a deeper engagement of mathematical thought embedded within the fabric of Rabha society.