Lunda Geometry Mirror Curves Designs Knots Polyominoes Patterns Symmetries

The book "Lunda Geometry" explains how the mathematical concepts of mirror curves and Lunda-designs were discovered in the context of the author's research of 'sona', illustrations traditionally made in the sand by Cokwe storytellers from eastern Angola (a region called Lunda) and neighboring regions of Congo and Zambia. Examples of mirror curves from several cultures are presented. Lunda-designs are aesthetically attractive and display interesting symmetry properties. Examples of Lunda-patterns and Lunda-polyominoes are presented. Some generalizations of the concept of Lunda-design are discussed, like hexagonal Lunda-designs, Lunda-k-designs, Lunda-fractals, and circular Lunda-designs. Lunda-designs of Celtic knot designs are constructed.Several chapters were published in journals like 'Computers & Graphics' (Oxford), 'Visual Mathematics' (Belgrade), and 'Mathematics in School' (UK).

New edition of award winning book "Women and Geometry in Southern Africa: Suggestions for Further Research", published by the "Universidade Pedagógica" (Mozambique) in 1995. The original book contains chapters on geometrical ideas embedded in basket weaving, bead work, wall decoration, tattooing, and ceramics. The expanded edition includes a foreword by Sibusiso Moyo (Secretary of the African Mathematical Union Commission on Women in Mathematics in Africa, and Research Director of the Durban University of Technology, South Africa), afterwords by Ubiratan D'Ambrosio (Brazil) and Jens Hoyrup (Denmark), and the papers "Makwe colour inversion, symmetry and patterns" (Northeastern Mozambique) and "Symmetries on mats woven by Yombe women from the area along the Lower Congo." The book contains also a chapter written by Salimo Saide on the geometry of pottery decoration among Yao women (Nyassa Province, Mozambique). (2013, 276 pp.)

"AFRICAN PYTHAGORAS: A study in culture and mathematics education" shows how diverse African ornaments and artefacts may be used to create an attractive context for the discovery and the demonstration of the Pythagorean Theorem and of related ideas and propositions. (first full colour edition, 124 pp.)

Who of us does not like a pastime that can divert and educate at the same time? The puzzles in this book are accessible to teenagers and adults alike, and may be explored individually or in clubs, either in leisure time, or at school. This book More puzzle fun with biLLies presents one hundred puzzles, which you can solve using all fourteen 'biLLies', the pieces of the game. For instance, you can make the happy puppet on the front cover using the fourteen 'biLLies'. You will be asked to make certain symmetrical patterns. Have fun with the intriguing and tantalizing 'biLLies' (76 pp.)

In the book "Otthava: Making Baskets and Doing Geometry in the Makhuwa Culture in the Northeast of Mozambique" I reflect on practices in the Makhuwa culture, which provide evidence of the geometric considerations operating in basket weaving, and are suitable and appropriate for mathematical and educational exploration. A proper scientific understanding of this knowledge, and the educational value of these manifestations may lead to a better appreciation of the Makhuwa culture. The practices I present in this book belong to the cultural sphere of 'otthava' - weaving, plaiting, interweaving, interlacing, braiding - that is, to basket- and mat- weaving. The topics which are analysed are the making of funnels, hats, fish traps, containers, trays, dance rattles, purses, decorated braids, baskets and handbags, knots and circular mats (292 pp.) Colour versions of the photographs in the book are published in a separate supplement.

Who of us does not like a pastime that can divert and educate at the same time? The puzzles in this book are accessible to teenagers and adults alike, and may be explored individually or in clubs, either in leisure time, or at school.This book "More puzzle fun with biLLies" presents one hundred puzzles, which you can solve using all fourteen 'biLLies', the pieces of the game. For instance, you can make the happy puppet on the front cover using the fourteen 'biLLies'.You will be asked to make certain symmetrical patterns.Have fun with the intriguing and tantalizing 'biLLies'! (76 pp.)