Mathematical Conversations

Sand drawings appear in many cultures coming, for instance, from South India, Oceania, and Africa.

We will focus on the Chowke people who have a beautiful tradition that combines mathematics and storytelling. In their free time, they would engage in conversations and relay parables aided by sand drawings called sona. The moral of the story would be reflected in the sand drawing. Many of these sona can be constructed and combined by following specific geometric algorithms. 

In this conversation, I will share my favorite sona and accompanying parables as well as describe some of their underlying mathematical rules and properties.