Explorations between ethnomathematics and anthropology in relation to mathematics education

Conferência realizada em Monterrey, México de 6 -13 de julho de 2008.Mathematical activity has flourished all over the world. Such activity is organized either in formal systems of knowledge, or embedded in daily life, emerging in work, educational, leisure practices, professions, norms and artifacts. Several fields of study have contributed to uncovering the human diversity of mathematical ideas and practices, including the history of mathematics, psychology, theology, anthropology and ethnomathematics. Addressing the question, “What is ethnomathematics (how is it related to mathematics, anthropology and the politics of mathematics education?)” posed by Discussion Group18 - the role of ethnomathematics in mathematics education, this paper focuses on the relationship between anthropology and ethnomathematics, explored from the view point of their connection to the field of mathematics education.