What hidden mathematics in African art can tell us about our world– from a cultured perspective.
Incorporating the perspectives of African mathematics and design into modern practices and educational curricula has the potential to profoundly enrich these fields. For design professionals, understanding the mathematical principles that have guided African architectural and artistic practices can inspire new approaches to problem-solving and creativity.
Written by
Published on
Copy link
Tomi Ogundayo
1 dic 2024
1/12/24
African contributions to mathematics have historically been underrepresented in mainstream historical narratives, largely due to the Eurocentric lens through which history has been traditionally examined.
This marginalization has led to the misconception that African societies lacked sophisticated mathematical knowledge.
However, evidence shows that African civilizations made significant mathematical advancements that influenced art, architecture, and societal structures. Integrating these contributions into broader academic discourse is essential for a more accurate and inclusive understanding of global history, highlighting the intellectual and creative achievements of African cultures.
To be a mathematician is to be African.
Mathematics is deeply embedded in African cultural practices, particularly in art, architecture, and design.
We’ve long used mathematical principles such as symmetry, fractals, and the golden ratio to structure our environments and express cultural values. These practices are not merely intuitive but result from deliberate and sophisticated mathematical thinking.
Ron Eglash, a Professor at the University of Michigan explores fractals, Euclidean mathematics, and Indigenous history in this very insightful book. I recommend it to everyone I can!
The mathematics of Swaziland
Artifacts such as the Lebombo bone, a 37,000-year-old baboon fibula found in Swaziland, provide concrete evidence of ancient African mathematical practice.
The bone’s 29 notches are believed to represent a form of counting or calendar system, demonstrating that African societies were engaged in mathematical activities long before similar evidence was found elsewhere. Such artifacts challenge the narrative that mathematical innovation was confined to Europe and Asia, highlighting Africa's role in the early development of mathematical thought.
The fractals of Cameroon and Zambia
Fractals are complex geometric shapes characterized by self-similarity, meaning their structure is repeated at different scales, and scaling properties, where the pattern retains its shape regardless of size.
These properties make fractals unique in that they can describe irregular shapes and structures found in nature and human-made designs.
In African cultures, fractals are not merely abstract mathematical concepts but are deeply embedded in various cultural practices, particularly in art and architecture, where they are used to create patterns and structures that reflect both aesthetic and functional principles.
The use of fractal architecture is vividly demonstrated in the settlement of Logone-Birni in Cameroon, where the Kotoko people have developed a method known as "architecture by accretion."
This way of development was crucial to the growth and collective defense of the people.
This involves adding new walls and structures to existing ones in a recursive manner, creating a complex, self-similar pattern that scales across the settlement. This approach not only reflects the fractal nature of their architectural design but also serves practical purposes, such as defense and social organization.
The fractal design principles seen here illustrate the sophisticated mathematical thinking inherent in African cultural practices.
The application of mathematical principles, including concepts similar to the golden ratio, can also be observed in other African architectural traditions, such as the Ba-ila settlements in Zambia.
These settlements are organized into complex, circular patterns that mirror fractal geometry, with each ring or enclosure reflecting a scaled-down version of the entire village structure. Like the pyramids, these designs exhibit a deep understanding of proportion, symmetry, and spatial organization, though they are based on recursive rather than strictly golden ratio-based principles.
The Ba-ila people utilize a system of nested enclosures where social status determines the size and position of each household within the larger settlement. The chief's quarters, situated at the center, are the largest, symbolizing his preeminent status, while the other rings decrease in size as they extend outward, reflecting the social hierarchy. This recursive, self-similar design is not only functional but also deeply symbolic, embodying the community's social structure and cosmological beliefs.
Fractals are for sure… fascinating
The similarities between these African architectural practices and the principles seen in the construction of the Pyramids of Giza underscore the widespread and sophisticated use of mathematical concepts across the African continent.
To be African is to be a mathematician.
But a handle on mathematics wasn’t just the consequence of good design. Math proliferated many parts of both the mystic and intrinsic cultures of Africans.
The Dogon people of Mali are renowned for their complex cosmology, which is deeply intertwined with their use of mathematical symbols and patterns. The Dogon’s cosmological symbols bear a striking resemblance to Egyptian hieroglyphs, suggesting a shared or influenced heritage of symbolic representation and mathematical thought.
These symbols are not merely decorative but are deeply rooted in the Dogon’s understanding of the universe, embodying principles of geometry and arithmetic. For instance, the Dogon use a series of intricate symbols to describe the movements of celestial bodies, the structure of the cosmos, and the spiritual significance of various natural phenomena.
Featured prominently in Beyonce’s Black is King visual album, the Dogon are well-regarded astronomers in African society.
These symbols often reflect sophisticated mathematical concepts, such as fractal geometry and recursive patterns, which are used to convey complex ideas in a visual form.
The Dogon’s knowledge of astronomy and their symbolic representation of cosmological events highlight the integration of mathematical understanding into their spiritual and cultural practices. This blend of mathematics and cosmology underscores the importance of numerical and geometric principles in the Dogon’s worldview, illustrating how deeply embedded mathematical concepts are in their cultural and religious life.
Mathematical ideas in African cultures extend beyond monumental architecture and art into everyday objects, hairstyles, and textiles.
For instance, traditional African hairstyles, such as cornrows, often display intricate patterns based on fractal geometry, where smaller, repeating units create complex, self-similar designs.
These patterns are not only visually striking but also carry cultural meanings, often reflecting social status, identity, or affiliation.
Similarly, African textiles, like kente cloth from Ghana, incorporate mathematical principles such as symmetry, repetition, and modular design. Each pattern in the cloth is carefully planned and woven to create a balanced, harmonious design that holds symbolic significance.
These examples highlight how mathematical concepts are woven into the fabric of daily life in African cultures, demonstrating a seamless integration of aesthetics and functionality. This blending of art and mathematics in everyday objects underscores the holistic approach to design that characterizes many African societies.
To be African… is to be a mathematician.
We need a more inclusive understanding of art, science, geography, mathematics, philosophy… everything.
Marginalization has led to the misconception that African societies lacked sophistication in mathematical and design practices, ignoring the rich and complex contributions these cultures have made over millennia. However, it’s up to us to rectify our misunderstanding of Indigenous beliefs.
Some progress has indeed been made in unlikely enclaves of the world like Serbia, where African art is used to teach preschoolers mathematics. Or in academia, where many have begun to contend with the knowledge that Yoruba divination systems may have been a precursor to modern quantum computing.
But above all, we must acknowledge there’s no one way to tell a single story. And while too many cooks might ruin what’s going on in the kitchen, more storytellers just means more to weave into the rich tapestry of human history.