Ethnomathematical Practices of the Gaddang Community: Input for Instructional Material Development in Teaching Basic Numeracy

This paper highlights the growing global recognition of the importance of safeguarding cultural knowledge, particularly in the practices of counting and ordering. Its purpose is to explore the ethnomathematical practices of the Gaddang community in Cauayan City, Isabela, as observed in their daily lives. Using an ethnographic study approach, the research examines the counting and ordering methods unique to the Gaddang community. A descriptive-narrative method, along with Outline Cultural Material Coding (OCM), was employed to identify the practices and materials used by key informants. The findings indicate that the Gaddang community has a distinctive numeration system and unique ordering principles, which they apply to various aspects of life, including recording, planting, and harvesting. By integrating these practices into the educational process, this study contributes to the field of mathematics education, enriching the understanding of ethnomathematics and its relevance in preserving cultural traditions.