Batak Toba Local Wisdom as a Conceptual Bridge in Primary Mathematics Instruction: A Systematic Literature Review

Taruly Tampubolon; Kaleb E. Simanungkalit

doi:10.58421/misro.v5i2.1345

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/misro.v5i2.1345

Authors

Taruly Tampubolon Universitas Sisingamangaraja XII Tapanuli, Siborongborong
Kaleb E. Simanungkalit Universitas Sisingamangaraja XII Tapanuli, Siborongborong

Keywords:

Ethnomathematics, Batak Toba Local Wisdom, Primary Mathematics Education, Systematic Literature Review, Concept Understanding

Abstract

Indonesian primary education continues to face significant challenges in numeracy, as evidenced by a persistent performance gap between formal mathematical abstractions and students' daily sociocultural contexts. This study explores the potential of Batak Toba local wisdom to serve as a conceptual bridge in elementary mathematics learning. Following the PRISMA protocol, a systematic review was conducted on seven empirical studies retrieved from SINTA-indexed journals published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion was limited to studies that provided empirical evidence of classroom interventions. Findings reveal that Batak Toba cultural heritage—specifically the geometric symmetries of Ulos textiles, the structural proportions of Rumah Bolon architecture, and the functional designs of Tandok—provides a robust foundation for teaching geometry, measurement, and arithmetic. This integration operates through three primary pathways: the use of artifacts as visual anchors, the alignment of instructional materials with cultural identity, and the implementation of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) within local settings. The synthesized evidence indicates that these culturally relevant approaches significantly enhance students' conceptual understanding and engagement in learning compared to conventional methods. The study concludes that while indigenous frameworks effectively foster mathematical literacy, further rigorous research is needed to evaluate their efficacy across broader socio-geographical contexts.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

H. S. Iswara, F. Ahmadi, and D. Da Ary, “Numeracy Literacy Skills of Elementary School Students through Ethnomathematics-Based Problem Solving,” Interdiscip. Soc. Stud., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1604–1616, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.55324/iss.v2i2.316.

N. M. H. Noviantini, S. Sariyasa, and I. M. Ardana, “Development of minimum competency assessment (AKM) instruments to measure the numeration ability of seventh grade of junior high school students,” Int. J. Trends Math. Educ. Res., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 65–71, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.33122/ijtmer.v6i1.181.

T. Tampubolon, S. Sibarani, Zuhri, Efendi, N. Zakiah, and H. Zaini, “Ethnomathematics Learning to Improve Students’ Understanding for Numeracy Concepts,” JPI (Jurnal Pendidik. Indones., vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 358–366, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.23887/jpiundiksha.v12i2.60716.

N. Sari et al., “Applying Ethnomathematics in Learning Mathematics for Middle School Students,” Acta Sci., vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 250–274, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.17648/acta.scientiae.7690.

N. P. Eni Astuti, “Teacher’s Instructional Behaviour in Instructional Management at Elementary School Reviewed from Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory,” SHS Web Conf., vol. 42, p. 00038, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1051/shsconf/20184200038.

D. Andriani, B. Sahono, Badeni, and S. Haji, “RME Teaching Materials Based on Bengkulu Etnomatics in Mathematics Lessons for Class IV Elementary School,” in Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Educational Science and Teacher Profession (ICETeP 2021), Paris: Atlantis Press SARL, 2023, pp. 108–113. doi: 10.2991/978-2-494069-19-0_13.

A. Bidiyah, T. Trisniawati, M. T. Muanifah, and T. Ardhian, “Development of ethnomathematics-based educational modules for elementary geometry,” Adv. Mob. Learn. Educ. Res., vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1160–1172, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.25082/AMLER.2024.02.010.

D. A. M. Lidinillah, R. Rahman, W. Wahyudin, and S. Aryanto, “Integrating Sundanese Ethnomathematics Into Mathematics Curriculum And Teaching: A Systematic Review From 2013 TO 2020,” Infin. J., vol. 11, no. 1, p. 33, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.22460/infinity.v11i1.p33-54.

B. R. Acharya, M. P. Kshetree, B. Khanal, R. K. Panthi, and S. Belbase, “Mathematics Educators’ Perspectives On Cultural Relevance Of Basic Level Mathematics In Nepal,” J. Math. Educ., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 17–48, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.22342/jme.12.1.12955.17-48.

R. A. Pratama and T. Y. Yelken, “Effectiveness of Ethnomathematics-Based Learning on Students’ Mathematical Literacy: A Meta-Analysis Study.” Sep. 16, 2024. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4856649/v1.

P. Treacy, “A conceptual framework for integrating mathematics and science in the secondary classroom,” SN Soc. Sci., vol. 1, no. 6, p. 150, Jun. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s43545-021-00166-x.

C. Ditasona, “Exploring Ethnomathematics in Batak Toba Carvings for Locally-based Mathematics Teaching Material,” J. Educ. Res. Eval., vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 399–407, Aug. 2023, doi: 10.23887/jere.v7i3.66787.

M. Sinaga and D. Kartika, “The Application of Frieze Groups and Crystallographic Groups in Generating Batak Toba Ornament Motifs Using a Matlab Graphical User Interface,” JTAM (Jurnal Teor. dan Apl. Mat., vol. 8, no. 1, p. 72, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.31764/jtam.v8i1.17130.

W.-H. Chen and Ja’faruddin, “Traditional Houses and Projective Geometry: Building Numbers and Projective Coordinates,” J. Appl. Math., vol. 2021, pp. 1–25, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.1155/2021/9928900.

M. Turmuzi, I. G. P. Suharta, and I. N. Suparta, “Ethnomathematical research in mathematics education journals in Indonesia: A case study of data design and analysis,” Eurasia J. Math. Sci. Technol. Educ., vol. 19, no. 1, p. em2220, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.29333/ejmste/12836.

G. Sunzuma and U. Umbara, “Ethnomathematics-based technology in Indonesia: A systematic review,” Asian J. Math. Educ., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 129–153, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1177/27527263241305812.

A. S. Nur, S. B. Waluya, K. Kartono, and R. Rochmad, “Ethnomathematics Perspective and Challenge as a Tool of Mathematical Contextual Learning for Indigenous People,” Int. J. Emerg. Math. Educ., vol. 5, no. 1, p. 1, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.12928/ijeme.v5i1.17072.

Kadek Ariyani, I Wayan Widiana, and I Made Suarjana, “Bahan Ajar Interaktif Berbasis Etnomatematika Bali untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan HOTS Siswa Kelas III SD,” J. Pendidik. dan Pengajaran, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 213–224, May 2024, doi: 10.23887/jpp.v57i1.74603.

A. De Cassai, B. Dost, S. Tulgar, and A. Boscolo, “Methodological Standards for Conducting High-Quality Systematic Reviews,” Biology (Basel)., vol. 14, no. 8, p. 973, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.3390/biology14080973.

M. J. Barrington, R. S. D’Souza, E. J. Mascha, S. Narouze, and G. A. Kelley, “Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (Part I): Guidelines for Preparing the Review Protocol,” Anesth. Analg., vol. 138, no. 2, pp. 379–394, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000006573.

Frida Marta Argareta Simorangkir, Lolly Jean C. Simbulas, and Ferry Indra Sakti H. Sinaga, “Development of desmos application integrated ethnomathematics on geometry for grade IV UPT SDN 101826 Tuntungan,” Prim. J. Pendidik. Guru Sekol. Dasar, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 485–498, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.33578/jpfkip.v14i4.p485-498.

A. Landong et al., “Pengembangan Bahan Ajar Menggunakan Model RME Berbasis Etnomatematis untuk Meningkatkan Kemampuan Literasi Numerasi,” Lambda J. Ilm. Pendidik. MIPA dan Apl., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 617–627, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.58218/lambda.v5i2.1503.

M. H. Panjaitan and Sukmawarti, “Developing RME Learning Materials of Primary School Harnessing Batak Traditional House as Context for Geometry Measurement,” J. Ris. Pendidik. dan Inov. Pembelajaran Mat., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 93–110, 2022.

J. N. Lubis, R. Agustini, H. Pelangi, R. Y. Dalimunthe, and Y. Sari, “Learning Geometry of Flat Buildings Based on Batak Traditional Houses to Improve Numeracy Skills in Elementary Schools,” Attadrib J. Pendidik. Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 534–542, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.54069/attadrib.v8i2.992.

A. Landong, M. R. Fauzi, A. S. Sari, S. Nurhaliza, T. Khairani, and N. Andini, “PENGARUH MODEL RME BERBASIS ETNOMATEMATIKA TERHADAP MINAT BELAJAR SISWA,” Pendas J. Ilm. Pendidik. Dasar, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 210–234, 2025.

E. Mailani, T. Siahaan, K. Nadadap, S. Manurung, and I. Sihotang, “INTEGRASI KEARIFAN LOKAL TANDOK BATAK PADA MATERI BANGUN RUANG KELAS V SEKOLAH DASAR,” Prim. Educ. Journals (Jurnal Ke-SD-An), vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 685–692, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.36636/primed.v5i2.5599.

D. N. Siregar, A. A. Manurung, and R. T. Manik, “Penggunaan Media Bolon Cafe Untuk Meningkatkan Pemahaman Konsep Nilai Uang Pada Siswa Kelas II SD,” Didakt. J. Ilm. PGSD STKIP Subang, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 452–463, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v11i02.6233.