Copyright © 2012 by Paulus Gerdes

2
 Paulus Gerdes

Drawings from Angola

Living Mathematics
(First color edition)
2012

3
Title: Drawings from Angola: Living Mathematics (Color edition)

Translated from Portuguese to English by Dr. Arthur B. Powell,

Professor of Mathematics Education, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ,
USA

Drawings from Angola from Africa was originally published under

the title Desenhos da África [Drawings from Africa], in the series
Living Mathematics by Editora Scipione, São Paulo, Brazil, 1990.
In 1990 the book received an Honorable Mention (Malba Tahan
Award of the National Foundation for Children’s Books, Brazil).

Acknowledgements:
The photographs on pages 6, 7, 8, 16, 18, and 19 were taken by Mário
Fontinha in the 1940s and 1950s and are reproduced with his
permission (cf.: Mário Fontinha, Desenhos na areia dos Quiocos do
Nordeste de Angola [Drawings in the sand of the Cokwe in the
Northeast of Angola], IICT, Lisbon, 1983).

Copyright (black-and-white edition) © 2007 by Paulus Gerdes

Copyright (color edition) © 2012 by Paulus Gerdes
Copyright (color eBook edition) © 2013 by Paulus Gerdes

Research Centre for Mathematics, Culture and Education

C. P. 915, Maputo
Mozambique
Paulus.gerdes@gmail.com

4
 Table of Contents

page
A beautiful excursion 7
The Cokwe 7
Tales 10
The stork and the leopard 10
The hunter and the dog 11
The rooster and the fox 12
Execution of drawings 13
A tortoise 14
Antelope 17
A drawing’s sequence of movements 19
The rhythm of a drawing 22
How many closed lines are needed? 22
A lioness and her cubs 27
A lion’s stomach 30
A hen in flight 32
Axes of symmetry 35
Rotational symmetry 38
Some interesting sums 45
Sum of the odd numbers 49
Did you enjoy the excursion? 52
Other books in English by the same author on 53
the geometry of the drawings of the Cokwe
Answers to the activities 54
Some more activities 64

5
 A crocodile represented on a plaited mat

6
 A BEAUTIFUL EXCURSION

Who does not like to travel?

Today we are going to dream about a beautiful voyage, a long one.
We will go to Angola.
You must have already heard of Angola. Just like Mozambique,
Angola was also a Portuguese colony in Africa.
There, in Angola, we are going to find interesting mathematics,
with attractive drawings and problems.

THE COKWE

The Cokwe (or Tchokwe) people live in the northeast of Angola.

They are a people of hunters, who also spend time farming.
The Cokwe are famous for their art. They like to embellish the
walls of their homes with designs. They make decorated mats and
wicker baskets. They shape pottery, sculpture wood, and forge iron.
In this book, we are going to talk about an ancient tradition of the
Cokwe people: their drawings, known in their language as sona.
These drawings are normally executed in the sand and serve to
illustrate tales, legends, and divinations.

7
 Congo / Zaire

AFRICA
Angola

sona
Zambia

Namibia

Map of Africa Region of major distribution of

the tradition of making drawings
in the sand - sona

A Cokwe hunter’s box

8
 A favorite pastime of the Cokwe is to tell and listen to stories.
Gathered in the middle of the village or in a hunting campsite, during
the night around the campfire or during the day in the shade of trees,
the Cokwe spend hours and hours telling or listening to their stories.
In this way, young Cokwe learn from the wisdom of their elders.
While telling a story, the narrator draws in the soil. The listeners
follow attentively the execution of the drawing. When a narrator
hesitates in drawing, those present begin to laugh.

Shall we get acquainted with some tales and their illustrations?

Vusamba
Friendship

9
 TALES

The Stork and the Leopard

Once, the leopard Kajama asked the stork Kumbi for some feathers
to line his burrow. Sometime later, it was the bird that asked Kajama
for a piece of his skin. Upon complying with the request, the leopard
died. His sons tried to take revenge, but Kumbi, who knew the swamp
very well, succeeded in escaping.

In this drawing, the points represent the swamp through which the
stork ran.

10
 The Hunter and the Dog

An old storyteller said that a certain hunter, named Tshipinda,

went on a hunt, taking the dog Kawa, and caught a wild goat. Upon
returning to the village, the hunter divided the meat with Calala, the
owner of the dog. Kawa was left with the bones.
After some time, Tshipinda again asked for the services of the dog,
but the latter refused to help him. He told the hunter to take Calala
since it was with him that he was accustomed to dividing the meat.

In this drawing, the isolated point in the center represents the

hunter, and the isolated point on the left side, the dog.

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 The Rooster and the Fox

The rooster Kanga and the fox Mukuza were courting the same
woman. They both asked her father for her hand in marriage; the
father demanded advance payment from both. They quickly agreed.
Suddenly, there ran a rumor that the fiancée had passed away.
Kanga broke out into inconsolable crying, while Mukuza only
lamented having lost the advanced payment.
Then the father, who had purposely spread the rumor to see who
deserved his daughter, entrusted her to the rooster, who proved to
have a good heart.

In this drawing, the isolated point at the bottom represents the

daughter, and the upper isolated points, the suitors.

12
 Activity 1

* Reproduce the drawings that illustrated the first two tales. But
remember: you must draw each illustration without removing your
pencil from the paper and without retracing a portion of the line;
you may only cross a portion of a line.
* In the same way, execute the drawings illustrating the story The
Rooster and the Fox. To draw it without removing your pencil
from the paper and without retracing a portion of the line, where
must you begin? The answer is in the back of the book.

EXECUTION OF DRAWINGS

For the Cokwe, these drawings are their writings.

It is a particular writing, without letters, without an alphabet.
It is a language composed of points and lines.
Do you want to know how these drawings are executed in the
sand?

After cleaning and smoothing the ground, the story teller, who is at
the same time the drawer, first marks points with the tips of his
extended fingers. He uses the index and ring fingers of his right hand.

13
 To mark points from right to left, he keeps the tip of his ring finger
on the point last marked on the ground, while marking a new point
with the index finger guaranteeing that the distance between two
consecutive points of a row is always the same.

In this way, the Cokwe mark in the sand a rectangular array of

little points. The rows are perpendicular to the columns of points.

row

column

This rectangular array has dimensions 5 by 7. That means that it

has 5 rows and 7 columns.

Depending on the drawing to be executed, sometimes it is

necessary to mark additional points in the centers of the squares of the
array points.

14
 Once all necessary points are marked, one begins the execution of
the figure. The Cokwe are accustomed to drawing in the sand with
index finger of the right hand.

You can execute the Cokwe drawings on paper, using pencil or

colored pen. However, if you would like, try drawing in sand or even
on the ground.
To simplify the activities that appear in this book, we suggest using
graph paper. Let’s get to work!

15
 A TORTOISE

This sand drawing represents a tortoise. It was made on a 3 by 3

rectangular array, with additional points.

Without counting the short legs of the animal, the drawing is

composed of 3 independent closed lines.
Examine the photograph carefully. Notice that, because we are
dealing with a drawing on sand, it is easy to discern which of the three
independent closed lines was traced first.

16
 Finally, just add the paws.

ANTELOPE

This antelope was drawn on a 3x4 rectangular array.

17
 Note that this drawing is made with a single line closing upon
itself. You can also start it from any place! One adds the head, the tail
and the feet at the end.

Activity 2

array upon which the design was executed

This figure represents the intestines of an animal.

The drawing consists of how many lines?
Where did the drawer begin to trace the first line?
And where did he finish the last line?

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 Activity 3

Even the less fortunate have equal right to be treated as humans.

This is the idea that the following drawing expresses.

Not counting the tree, the figure is made from only one closed line.
Examine the figure carefully. Where did the drawer begin his
trace? And in which direction?

A DRAWING’S SEQUENCE OF MOVEMENTS

Let’s draw a lioness on a 3 by 10 array, without additional points.

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 tail head

3 by 10 array

To execute that drawing, one can begin at P, moving in the

direction of Q.

o
45
P

Notice that the line PQ goes at 45o to the sides of the rectangle of
points.
After arriving at the opposite side of the rectangle, the line makes a
o
90 turn. In another words, the direction of the line before the turn is
perpendicular to the direction of the line after the turn.

o
45

o
45

20
 Notice that, after the turn, the line again makes a 45o angle with the
sides of the rectangle of the points.
Arriving at a vertex of the rectangle, the line turns completely
around and, now facing the opposite direction, travels along a path
parallel to the one that it followed before turning.

After having surrounded all the points of the array, the line ends
where it began. It is, therefore, a closed line.

Finally, one adds the head and tail.

This sequence of movements that we just described determines a

rhythm, a set of rules, which are independent of the size of the array
of points and of the number of lines necessary to complete the
drawing.

Activity 4

* Construct a lioness with dimensions 3 by 8, and a baby lioness

with dimensions 2 by 7.
* Now construct a lioness with dimensions 3 by 9. How many
closed lines does your drawing have?

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 THE RHYTHM OF A DRAWING

Now compare the drawings of the lioness and the tortoise.

In the case of the 3 by 10 lioness, only one closed line was needed
to encompass all the points, while in the drawing of the tortoise 3
closed lines were needed.
In spite of the differences in the dimensions of the array and the
number of closed lines, the two drawings were executed in the same
manner. They characterize themselves by the same type of movement.
They have the same rhythm.

HOW MANY CLOSED LINES ARE NEEDED?

The number of lines needed to execute a drawing varies with the

drawing and with the dimensions of the array of points.
In the case of drawings of this type, like the lioness or the tortoise,
not only in Angola, but also in other African countries, such as Ghana
and the Congo, many adults and children know immediately how
many lines are needed – you only have to show them the array.
When they see a rectangular array of points of dimensions 4 by 6,
they quickly say that 2 lines are needed to construct the lioness. When
you ask them how many lines are needed to encompass in the same
way all the points of an array of dimensions 5 by 7, they immediately
respond that one line will be enough.

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 Surely you also want to know how many lines are needed in each
case, even before executing the drawing. What will be the rule?
Together we will investigate this question, starting with arrays
composed of two rows.

2 by 2 2 by 3
2 lines 1 line

2 by 4 2 by 5
2 lines 1 line

2 by 6
2 lines

Arrays with two rows, with 2, 4, or 6 points in each row require 2

closed lines. In the case of 3 or 5 points in each row, the drawing is
made with only one line.

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 Activity 5

* Guess what will happen in the case of 2 rows and 8 columns. Now,
verify by executing the drawing.
* How many lines will be needed when there are 2 rows and 7
columns? Guess the result and verify it afterwards.

Now let’s investigate the drawings executed in an array of 3 rows.

3 by 3 3 by 4
3 lines 1 line

3 by 5 3 by 6
1 line 3 lines

In this case, when there are 3 or 6 points in each row, 3 lines are
needed, but with 4 or 5 points in each row only one line is required.
Finally, what is the rule? It is difficult to perceive, isn’t it?

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 Therefore, you will continue to look at more examples, this time
examining drawings executed in an array of 4 rows.

4 by 2 4 by 3 4 by 4
2 lines 1 line 4 lines

4 by 5 4 by 6
1 line 2 lines

In the 4 by 3 and 4 by 5 arrays, one line is enough. The 4 by 2 and

4 by 6 arrays require 2 closed lines. And, in the 4 by 4 array, 4 lines
are needed!
Is it still difficult to discover the rule? Then let’s help you a little.
The problem is the following: you know two numbers (the number
of rows and the number of columns of an array of points) and from
these you want to obtain a third number: the number of closed lines
necessary to do the drawing.

25
 In mathematics, there are many ways of obtaining a number from
two others: you can add them or subtract one from the other, or even
multiply them; you can also obtain the lowest common multiple of the
two. You probably can imagine other ways to obtain a number from
two others.
To facilitate your investigation, you can organize a table, recording
the results known up until now.

Rows Columns Closed

lines
2 2 2
2 3 1
2 4 2
2 5 1
2 6 2
3 3 3
3 4 1
3 5 1
3 6 3
4 2 2
4 3 1
4 4 4
4 5 1
4 6 2

Well then? Is the third number always the sum of the two others?
Or is it the difference between them? Try all the ways that you know
how to obtain a number from two others. We guarantee you that the
rule you are searching for involves an operation that you already
studied. Persevere. Your work will be rewarded by the pleasure of
discovery!

26
 If you tried to calculate the greatest common divisor of the number
of rows and of the number of columns, then you’ve solved the
problem!
Look again at the table and verify!
Here is the rule: to execute the drawing of the lioness, the number
of closed lines needed is equal to the greatest common divisor of the
number of rows and the number of columns of points in the array.
In fact, using methods of advanced mathematics, it can be proved
that this always happens.
Test this rule by executing other drawings of the lioness on arrays
that until now you have not tried.

Activity 6

* In the drawing of the lioness, how many lines are needed, if the
dimensions of the array were 4 by 12? Make the drawing.
* How many lines are needed if the dimensions of the rectangular
array were 9 by 5? Verify by executing the drawing.
* Determine the number of lines needed in the following cases:
a) 6 rows and 10 columns;
b) 9 rows and 15 columns;
c) 11 rows and 12 columns.

A LIONESS AND HER CUBS

We already saw how the Cokwe represent a lioness.

3 by 10 array
horizontal position

27
 10 by 3 array
vertical position

Now let’s see how they represent a lioness with her cubs.
However, before that, do you want to know how they represent a
little lion? Naturally, at the very least, it must resemble its mother.
That can be done in an array with dimensions 2 by 7.

lion cub

How would you represent, in a single drawing, a lioness with her

two cubs? The Cokwe of Angola do it like this:
28
At the end, one adds the tails and heads

29
 Mother and cubs are partially overlaid. Without counting the
heads of the cubs and the tails, the entire figure is made from a single
closed line! It is a beautiful invention of the Cokwe!

Activity 7

* Draw a figure of a lioness with the two cubs.

* Now, in the same way, draw a lioness with three cubs. The
drawing has to be comprised of only one closed line. At the end
you can raise the pen and add the heads and tails.
* This time, draw a lioness with two cubs, but the dimensions of the
lioness must be different from 10 by 3. Even still, the mother and
cubs have to be more or less similar. The figure must be made
with only one closed line, not counting the heads and tails, which
are added at the end.
Can the dimensions of the lioness be 7 by 3?
Can the dimensions of the lioness be 8 by 3?

A LION’S STOMACH

This Cokwe drawing represents the stomach of a small lion. It is

composed of only one closed line.

4 by 5 array

30
Reproduce the drawing of the stomach
starting with this point

Changing the dimensions of the rectangular array of points to 7 by

9, we can represent the lion’s stomach.

To reproduce this drawing, pay attention to the rhythm of

movement and follow the cadence.

31
 Activity 8

* Now draw the stomach of a big lion.

* To represent the stomach of a lion, can the rectangular array of
points have dimensions 5 by 7? And 4 by 8? And 3 by 9? And 4
by 9? And 3 by 8?
* How many points must a row have to represent the lion’s stomach
as the Cokwe do, with only one closed line?

A HEN IN FLIGHT

Have you ever seen a hen in flight? Not yet? Then look carefully.

7 by 8 array

This Cokwe drawing represents the trajectory of a wild hen when

pursued. Isn’t it interesting?

32
 To construct this path, begin at the indicated point, moving down
to the right.
Begin here

Not always do the Cokwe choose 7 by 8 arrays to represent a hen

in flight. At times they pick arrays of dimension 5 by 6 or 9 by 10.

Activity 9

* Construct the path of a pursued hen on a 9 by 10 rectangular array.

* What are the minimum dimensions a rectangular array of points
can have to draw the road traveled by a hen in flight?
* What will happen if we use a 7 by 10 array? How many hens will
be pursued.
* Now represent, in one figure, three hens in flight.

33
In the case 5 by 6, begin here

34
 AXES OF SYMMETRY

You must have already noticed that the Cokwe like drawings that
present certain symmetries studied in mathematics.
Examine this figure, which represents a scorpion.

Copy it onto a sheet of transparent paper and fold it along line r.

The straight-line r divides the figure into two halves. When the
sheet is folded exactly on the straight-line r, one part of the figure
coincides with the other. We say then that that figure is symmetric
with respect to the straight-line r. The straight-line r is called the axis
of symmetry of the figure.

35
 The straight-line s is the axis of symmetry of this figure, which
represents a bull’s corral with four houses of pastors.

Activity 10

* Examine all the Cokwe drawings that appear in this book. Find
two drawings that have only one axis of symmetry.
* Each one of these Cokwe drawings have two axes of symmetry.

nest of doves antelope paws

36
a rat that gnaws the belt and bag of a hunter

buffalo’s head

people gathering mushrooms

Construct these figures and draw their axes of symmetry.

37
* Examine this Cokwe figure, which represents a sedge forest. It has
4 axes of symmetry.

t v

Create a Cokwe-type drawing, with 4 axes of symmetry.

ROTATIONAL SYMMETRY

Imagine two people seated at the table, face to face.

One of them wrote the number 9, but the second saw something
different. The second person read 6.

38
 9
And if a person would have written 69? What would the other
see?
Now look below at another Cokwe drawing. Imagine two people,
seated on the ground, face to face, looking at the drawing located
between them. The two see the same thing. The two have the same
impression of the figure.

Consider this same figure drawn on a sheet of paper. If we rotate

the sheet a little bit, we already have another impression of the figure.

39
 Continue to rotate the sheet

After a half-turn, the figure again appears as it did from the start.

o
180

40
 A half-turn corresponds to a rotation through an 180o angle. We
then say that this drawing has a rotational symmetry of 180o.
The Cokwe drawing of a hen in flight also has a 180o rotational
symmetry. Verify it.

The following drawing, which represents a couple of animals,

gives us another example of 180o rotational symmetry.

41
 Activity 11

* Among the drawings presented, find two with rotational symmetry

of 180 o.
* Can a drawing have at the same time a rotational symmetry of 180o
and one or more axes of symmetry?

Traditionally, the Cokwe were accustomed to tattooing the body.

The figure shows a motif frequently used in tattoos of the forehead
and, at times, also of the chest.

This drawing presents some interesting properties. It has a

rotational symmetry of 180o. But only of 180o?
Normally, when we rotate a drawing through an angle of 90o, we
have another impression of the figure.

o
90
3

3
Number three Almost the letter W

42
 Now, examine the Cokwe motif of the tattoo drawn on a sheet of
paper.

o
90

After rotating the sheet to the right through a right angle, we

continue to have the same impression of the figure. We say then that
that drawing has a rotational symmetry of 90o.
Look at some examples of Cokwe drawings with 90o rotational
symmetry.

43
 To understand better what is rotational symmetry of 90o, imagine
four people, seated on the ground or around a square table, looking at
this drawing that is located between them. All see exactly the same
thing; the four have the same impression of the figure. Verify it.

Cobweb

On a sheet of paper or in the sand, try constructing these Cokwe

figures that have rotational symmetry of 90o.

Activity 12

* Can a drawing have both rotational symmetry of 90o and one or

more axes of symmetry? Examine carefully the tattoo drawing.
How many axes of symmetry does it have?

44
* Does the regular hexagon have rotational symmetry of 90o? It has
rotational symmetry of how many degrees?

SOME INTERESTING SUMS

Quickly calculate:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10

How long did it take you to do the addition? Half a minute? Ten
seconds?
Do you know how to add quickly the natural numbers from 1 to
100? And from 1 to 1000?
Do you like to learn how to calculate quickly the sum of the odd
numbers from 1 to 999?
The Cokwe drawings are going to help you find rapid calculating
methods!

Examine this Cokwe figure, which represents an antelope.

45
 It was executed in a 3 by 4 rectangular array. We have here 3 rows
of 4 points or, in total, 12 points.
The antelope drawing allows us to count the same points in another
way.

3
2
1

1
2
3

Looking at the numbers of points that one finds on the indicated

diagonal lines, we see that the total number of points is also equal to:
1+2+3+1+2+3
Hence, we can establish the equality:
2 x (1 + 2 + 3) = 3 x 4
and, therefore
1 + 2 + 3 = (3 x 4) / 2

46
 And if we had 4 rows of 5 points, what will happen?

4
3
2
1

1
2
3
4

In that case, we have:

2 x (1 + 2 + 3 + 4) = 4 x 5
and consequently:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = (4 x 5) / 2

Now examine the figure executed on an 8 by 9 array.

8
7
6
5
4
1 3
2 2
3 1
4
5
6
7
8

47
The total number of points in the array is equal to:
2 x (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8)
which is equal to 8x9 points.
If the dimensions of the rectangular array of points were 10 by 11,
we would arrive at the following equality:
1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10 = (10x11) / 2 = 55

Reasoning in the same manner, you can intuit that the sum of the
numbers from 1 to 20 is equal to:
(20x21) / 2 = 210
and that the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 100 is equal to:
(100x101) / 2 = 5050

Activity 13

* Quickly calculate:
a) the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 70;
b) the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 1,000;
c) the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 90;
d) the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 60;
e) the sum of the natural numbers from 61 to 90; and
f) the sum of the natural numbers from 43 to 120.

* Invent a method to calculate quickly the sum of the even numbers

from 2 to 100.
Here’s a hint:
2 x (1+2+3+4) = 2+4+6+8
2 x (1+2+3+4+5) = 2+4+6+8+10
2 x (1+2+3+4+5+6) = 2+4+6+8+10+12
* Now, a challenge for you: invent a method to calculate quickly the
sum of the odd numbers from 1 to 99.

48
 SUM OF THE ODD NUMBERS

We will now present a way to calculate the sum of the consecutive

odd numbers, using an array of points.
Let’s take a 3 by 4 array, with additional points. On it we execute
the drawing of three bats.

Look carefully at the number of points on the indicated diagonal

lines.

5
3
1

1
3
3 by 4 array
5

Notice that the total number of points in that array is:

2 x (1 + 3 + 5)

49
 Examine again the array. Displace the last column of points and
put it horizontally as a shifted bottom row.

You now have two superimposed square arrays, each one with 3x3
points.

Comparing that number with the previous expression for the total
number of array points, we can write:

2
2 x (1+3+5) = 2 x (3 x 3) = 2 x 3

that is:
2
1 +3+ 5 = 3 x 3 = 3

In other words, we say that the sum of the first 3 odd numbers is
2
equal to 3 (three squared), or 9.

In the same way, imagine and examine the drawing made on a 4 by

5 array, with additional points.

50
 7
5
3
1

1
3
5
7

The total number of points is equal to:

2 x (1 + 3 + 5 + 7)

By altering the original array as before to obtain two superimposed

square arrays, you can calculate the total number of points.

This time, each square array contains 4x4 points.

Therefore, comparing the two results for the total number of
points, we can write:

2
2 x (1 + 3+ 5 + 7) = 2 x 4
2
1+3+5+7 = 4

51
 2
that is, the sum of the first 4 odd numbers is equal to 4 (four squared).

Activity 14

* Establish, by the same means, that

1+ 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 52
* Quickly say how much is the sum of the first 25 odd numbers.
* Calculate the sum of the odd numbers from 27 to 75.

DID YOU ENJOY THE EXCURSION?

Through this book we visited Angola. There in Angola we found

the Cokwe people and had the opportunity to know their tradition of
drawing in the sand. We also had a chance to explore some of the
mathematics and geometry of these drawings.
Because of slavery and the colonial occupation that lasted until
1975, this rich tradition declined.
The intent of this book is to bring alive the mathematics of
Angolan sand drawings, and thereby contribute to the valuing of their
culture.
When executing the activities suggested here, you learned
mathematics without realizing it, developing some skills that are very
important in the Twenty-first Century.
During the second half of Twentieth Century, humanity entered
into the computer era. To work with computers, often it is important
to know how to analyze certain arithmetic or geometric “rhythms,”
called algorithms.
What you have done through this book, when changing, for
example, the dimensions of the drawing of a fleeing chicken, a
stomach, or a lion, maintaining the rhythm, contributed to developing
skills that later will be useful in working with computers.
We hope that you have enjoyed the excursion.
52
 Invent many drawings like the Cokwe and discover other
interesting properties. Afterward, send them to Mozambique, to the
following address:

Paulus Gerdes, P. O. Box 915, Maputo, Mozambique

We are here in Mozambique waiting for your drawings and

comments. It will be a pleasure to receive them.

Other books in English by the same author on the geometry of the

drawings of the Cokwe

Lusona – Geometrical recreations of Africa / Recréations

géométriques d’Afrique (Bilingual edition), Universidade Pedagógica,
Maputo, 1991; Second edition: L’Harmattan, Paris, 1997, 127 pp.

New color edition, including solutions: Lusona: Geometrical

Recreations from Africa. Problems and Solutions, Lulu, Morrisville
NC, 2012, 212 pp.

Sona Geometry from Angola. Mathematics of an African Tradition,

Polimetrica International Science Publishers, Monza, 2006, 232 pp.
(First volume of a trilogy, published in Portuguese, French and
German).

Geometry from Africa: Mathematical and Educational Explorations,

The Mathematical Association of America, Washington DC, 1999,
210 pp. (see chapter 4).

Adventures in the World of Matrices, Nova Science Publishers, New

York, 2007.

53
 ANSWERS TO THE ACTIVITIES

1. One has to begin the drawing in A or B

A B

When one begins in A, one ends in B, and vice-versa.

2. The drawing is composed of 3 lines.

The drawer started to trace the first line in A and ended the last line
in B.

3. The drawer began the trace in C in the indicated direction.

54
 C

4.

dimensions 3 by 8

dimensions 2 by 7

dimensions 3 by 9
Three closed lines compose this lioness of dimensions 3 by 9.

5. In the 2 by 8 array, we have 2 closed lines.

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 In the 2 by 7 array, we have only one closed line.

6. To draw a lioness in a 4 by 12 array, we will need 4 closed lines.

The greatest common divisor of 4 and 12 is 4.

For the 9 by 5 array, we need one single closed line.

a) 2 lines;
b) 3 lines;
c) 1 line.

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7.

A lioness with three cubs

The dimensions of the lioness may be 8 by 3, and those of the cubs

2 by 5.

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 The dimensions of the lioness cannot be 7 by 3, as in that case, the
figure is composed of 3 lines.

8.

10 by 13 array

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 In the case of the 5 by 7 array, the figure is composed of 5 lines.
Verify.

To represent the stomach of a lion in the Cokwe way, by only one

closed line, there have to be 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 ... points in a row.

9.

5 by 6 array

9 by 10 array

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 The minimal dimensions are 3 by 4.

Each closed line represents the path of a hen in flight.

Hence, in the 7 by 10 array, there are two chased hens.

7 by 10 array

5 by 10 array
three hens in flight

60
10. For example:

11. For example:

Stomach of a lion Antelope paws

It is possible. Each drawing with two perpendicular axes of

symmetry has also a rotational symmetry of 180o. This happens in the
case of the two examples given.

12.
* It is possible. The tattoo has a rotational symmetry of 90o and
displays 4 axes of symmetry.

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 r
t

* The regular hexagon does not have a rotational symmetry of 90o.

It has a rotational symmetry of 60o, 120o and 180o.

13.

*
a) (70 x 71) / 2 = 2485
b) (1000 x 1001) / 2 = 500500
c) (90 x 91) / 2 = 4095
d) (60 x 61) / 2 = 1830
e) 4095 – 1830 = 2265
f) [(120 x 121) / 2] – [(42 x 43) / 2] = 7260 – 903 = 6357

* 2+4+6+ ... +100 = 2 x (1+2+3+ ... +50) = 2 x (50 x 51) / 2 =

= 50 x 51 = 2550
* The sum of the odd numbers from 1 to 99 =
= the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to 100 minus the sum of
the even numbers from 2 to 100 =
= [(100 x 101) / 2] – (50 x 51) = 2500

14.
* The total number of points is equal to:
2 x (1+3+5+7+9)

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 9
7
5
3
1
1
3
5
7
9

By changing the initial array:

we obtain two square arrays of 5 by 5 points.

2
Hence: 2 x (1+3+5+7+9) = 2 x 5
2
Or: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 +9 = 5 = 50
2
* 25 = 625
2 2
* 38 – 13 = 1444 – 169 = 1275

63
 SOME MORE ACTIVITIES

In this section there are some more Cokwe drawings for you to
execute.
Be aware of two aspects: Some problems do not have a unique
response, and in the construction of certain drawings you will need to
do some experimentation until you find what is asked for.
If necessary, return to the book to clarify your doubts. Let’s start!

1. This Cokwe drawing represents three ducks flying in a row.

The drawing is made out of how many lines?

Reproduce this figure on a piece of paper.
Then, invent another figure to represent four ducks flying in a row.

2. The first drawing represents two twins and the second five twins.

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 In both cases, the drawing is made of a single closed line.
Represent in the same way three twins and also four twins.
Experiment!

3. This representation of an eagle is composed of 3 closed lines.

Change the dimensions of the rectangle of points in such a way

that one can draw an eagle with only one closed line. Experiment.

4. This Cokwe drawing represents a big fire.

Of how many closed lines is the drawing composed?

In the same manner, draw now a smaller fire.
Afterwards, draw a still bigger fire.

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5. This Cokwe drawing represents a couple. It has an axis of
symmetry and is composed of two closed lines.

Construct this representation of a couple on a piece of paper.

Then invent another figure of the Cokwe type composed of two
closed lines, with only one axis of symmetry.

6. Invent a figure of the Cokwe type, composed of 3 closed lines.

With only one axis of symmetry.
7. Invent a figure of the Cokwe type, composed of 2 closed lines,
with two axes of symmetry.
8. Invent a figure of the Cokwe type, composed of 2 closed lines,
with a rotational symmetry of 90o.

9. Calculate quickly:
a) the sum of the first 500 natural numbers;
b) the sum of the even numbers from 22 to 96;
c) the sum of the odd numbers from 49 to 201.

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10. Observe well this drawing coming from the North of Nigeria.

Does it have axes of symmetry?

Which Cokwe drawing is similar to the black part of this drawing?
Modify slightly the Nigerian drawing such that you obtain:
a) a figure with rotational symmetry;
b) a figure with two axes of symmetry;
c) a figure with only one axis of symmetry. Experiment!

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 SOME MORE EXAMPLES OF SONA

Skin of a leopard

68
 Eagle carrying a chicken

Bird with a large wingspan

69
 Rod for transporting dried fish

70
Pile of firewood

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