Banca de DEFESA: ERIVELTON THOMAZ DA SILVA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ERIVELTON THOMAZ DA SILVA
DATE: 27/04/2026
TIME: 10:00
LOCAL: https://conferenciaweb.rnp.br/sala/canal-do-noguera
TITLE:

Connections Between Mancala Games and Mathematics Education: A Theoretical, Cultural, and Pedagogical Approach in Brazil

 

KEY WORDS:

Games; Mancala Games; Board Games; Mathematics; Culture

PAGES: 102
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Educação
SUBÁREA: Tópicos Específicos de Educação
SPECIALTY: Educação Permanente
SUMMARY:

Games, especially traditional ones, play a significant role in the development of social,
cognitive, and cultural skills, providing an environment for cooperation and creativity.
With the transition to the digital age, it is crucial to reclaim the playful value of games,
which goes beyond entertainment by promoting essential skills for citizenship
formation. The Mancala game, with its African cultural roots, is an example of how
games can be powerful educational tools. This research seeks to explore the integration
of these games into mathematics education, promoting social cohesion, respect for
cultural diversity, and the development of social and academic skills. The aim of this
dissertation is to expand the theoretical, historical, and anthropological framework
regarding Mancala games in Brazil applied to mathematics education. The proposed
methodology aimed to conduct a critical review of the academic literature on Mancala
games, collecting relevant references from articles, books, theses, and dissertations. It
also sought to gather works that addressed the history, theory, and anthropological
aspects related to Mancala games, both in Brazil and in other cultural contexts. The time
frame covered publications from the last ten years (2014 to 2024). However, there was a
need to expand this period due to the relevance of some studies for the current research.
Traditional games, such as Checkers, Chess, and Mancala, play an important role in
human development, promoting cognitive and social skills. In a digitalized and isolated
context, playfulness emerges as an essential tool to overcome educational and social
challenges. Mancala, for example, not only teaches mathematics with a focus on
counting and strategies, but also preserves cultural narratives, promoting the
appreciation of diversity. The integration of these games into education, especially in
mathematics, contributes to a more dynamic and inclusive learning process, connecting
abstract concepts to cultural and historical contexts. The use of these games can also
develop skills such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, and social abilities, preparing
citizens who are aware and respectful of cultural pluralism.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1306589 - RENATO NOGUEIRA DOS SANTOS JUNIOR
Externo à Instituição - CARLA APARECIDA DA SILVA - UNIRIO
Externa à Instituição - GLORIA MARIA ALVES RAMOS - UERJ
Externa à Instituição - LUCIANA PIRES ALVES - UERJ
Externo à Instituição - MARCELO JOSÉ DERZI MORAES - UERJ