The End of Innocence: A Critique of 'Ethnomathematics'

Ethnomathematics originated in the former colonies, in response to the Eurocentrism of the history of mathematics, mathematics itself and mathematics education. It has also found expression in several other contexts. It is a part of the broader framework that elaborates the social and political dimensions of mathematics and mathematics education but especially, the dimension of culture. This focus on culture examined in the unique context of South Africa makes visible both conceptual difficulties in its formulation and also difficulties with respect to its interpretation into educational practice. This paper explores a critique of ethnomathematics using the South African situation and conceptual tools of a critical mathematrics education.