Project MACIMISE Readings

Hafa Adai! The reading assignments Don provided were culturally insightful regarding the various methods of measurement with focus on Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands, the multicultural view of numbers: words and symbols, the use of mathematics and importance of the machi, ceremonies, and so much more!

It was interesting to read about the section on "Counting Coconuts" and the role chiefs play in the culture. It's sad to say that Guam has lost part of its culture with regards to village chiefs and other language and cultural practices. I'm glad though that there are attempts to revive the culture and language of our island with the different cultural organizations, including Hurao, TaoTao Tano, Gef Pago, Natibu, storytelling, PIBBA, etc. I guess you can say that the Governor of Guam would be considered our chief in the island. He holds the power to make decisions that impact our people. Yes, he does not exactly exemplify practices from the ancient Chamorro days, but this is where we stand now. We must continue to move forward and resurrect what we can to continue to revive our culture and language and postively impact student learning. In addition, the Project MACIMISE is an excellent way for us to research indigenous Math and strengthen our curriculum with practices that will increase our students mathematics skills.

The navigation and designing of the canoe is also part of Guam's history, and findings tell us how our ancestors used mathematics to navigate by measuring, studying the environment, the tide, sky, etc. Our culture has historically followed an oral tradition of passing on our culture, customs, traditions, songs, dance, weaving, carving, fishing, etc. from generation to generation. There are some written accounts available at UOG's Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC), but we still need to publish additional writings relative to our culture, especially since our elders will not be around forever, as much as we'd like them to. Once again, Project MACIMISE will provide us the means to produce written works that we can publish and also provide to MARC to build the database available to our residents, researchers, etc.

The reading pertaining to number words and number symbols was very insightful, as some people simply don't take the time to appreciate the importance of such and its uniqueness to the Pacific cultures. I appreciate the concepts Ascher shared in her article. Don's articles also provided much insight on the use of mathematics and importance of the machi, ceremonies, and so much more. I was able to connect the concepts with what he shared with us via the PowerPoint presentation in our last Elluminate session! The pictures also provided additional schema on cultural importance and significant patterns & symmetry of the sacred machi in Fais.

Thank you for enlightening me on the importance of indigenous mathematics, which I have always valued! BIBA PROJECT MACIMISE! Un Dangkulo Na Si Yu'os Ma'ase'!