Introduction
Background to the Study
The United States has for decades remained the preferred destination for many immigrants coming from different parts of the world. According to Nannyonga-Tamusuza (2014), most of these people come to the country for varying reasons, from higher education and employment opportunities to escaping political persecution and natural disasters in their home country. Once in the United States, these migrants face unique challenges that may compromise the quality of life they have. Culture shock is one of the initial challenges that they have to face once they move to this country. The available food, the common language, governance approach, and how people relate to one another in the country may be significantly different from what they are used to in their home country.
These immigrants always experience nostalgia because of these challenges. They feel that they want to go back home where they can get back to a lifestyle they have been accustomed to (Verreault, 2017). It is important to note that the concept of home in this study does not refer to the physical environment of buildings and structures in the home country. Instead, it refers to the relationships, cultural practices and norms, and values that defines a person. It is the socio-cultural environment that one has embraced for many years of their life. Scholars in disciplines such as sociology, philosophy, anthropology, and psychology have investigated the problem of nostalgia, it’s possible causes, factors that worsen the condition, its consequences to the affected person and other members of society, and ways in which it can me managed. Mabingo (2020) explains that such studies have strongly recommended that immigrants should make an effort to engage in socio-cultural activities they cherished while at home. One such activity, especially those who come from Africa, is traditional dances.
Dance is one of the most popular socio-cultural practices among people all over the world. According to Massing, Pente and Kirova (2016), like sports, dancing brings people together in a forum of happiness and celebration. It creates an opportunity for people temporarily forget the challenges they face in life and focus on themselves and those who they care about (Rot, 2018). Dance helps one to express their feelings in a physical but non-violent way. It is also one of the best ways of uniting people who may be divided because of socio-political and economic issues. It reminds people that they have a lot in common that what may cause the rift in the society. For an immigrant, a traditional dance offers an opportunity to move away from the current pressure to fit into the new society. It allows an individual to walk back in life, to the time when they engaged in activities back at home that created joy and unity.
The study seeks to determine how traditional dance can be used to improve mental health of immigrants and create a safe society in a new country. Dance can be therapeutic for an individual who is struggling to fit into a new society. However, psychologists and counsellors need to understand how it should be applied under different environmental settings. One can use this therapy while they are alone in the house, with a spouse or a friend, or a group of friends. The goal is to make one comfortable in the new country, or as Panagiotopoulou (2018) puts it, create home away from home. Using a case study of a Ugandan in California, it will be possible to explain how traditional Ugandan songs can be used to alleviate nostalgia among immigrants.
Research Questions
It is necessary to outline specific questions that the study seeks to answer. It helps in defining the specific information that needs to be collected from the field. The following are the questions that the study seeks to answer:
- What are the specific challenges that immigrants in the United States face?
- What are some of the major causes of nostalgia among immigrants in the United States?
- What are the effects of nostalgia among immigrants and those close to them?
- How is the problem of nostalgia managed among immigrants in this country?
- How can traditional dance therapy be used to overcome nostalgia among immigrants in the country?
Motivation and Suitability for the Proposed Study
The study is motivated by the knowledge that a significant number of those who migrate to the United States tend to be nostalgic. When an opportunity to come to the United States arises, they embrace it because they believe in the opportunities that the country presents. Upon arriving in the country, they realize that life is not as easy as they had been made to believe. Although there are employment opportunities, the cost of living is high and many have to take two or three jobs to make ends meet. They not only have to take care of their personal needs but also the needs of their extended family members. They realize that the social environment in the new country is significantly different from that at home. Their favourite food may not be available and the entertainment setting in this country is not similar to that at home. Their situation is worsened by the fact that they cannot afford to travel home as frequently as possible.
Some immigrants are forced to spend almost a decade before traveling back home because of the associated costs. As such, they tend to become nostalgic after some time because of the change. The problem can easily worsen to depression if immediate measures are not taken to help these individuals. Their performance at work and relationship with members of their communities will be affected. Traditional dance offers a solution to those who are faced with such conditions. It offers them a unique opportunity to do something they like, the one that they have been doing since they were young (Verreault, 2017). It brings the memories of life at home alive while one is in a foreign country. This study is suitable because it will help millions of immigrants in the United States to overcome the problem of nostalgia. The activity will improve the performance of these immigrants and how they relate with the natives and amongst themselves. Therapists will also learn how to use dance to help their clients who suffer from nostalgia.
Literature Review
Dance is considered one of the most popular and highly therapeutic socio-cultural practices all over the world. Sociologist, philosophers, anthropologists, and psychologists have realized the significance of dance as a tool that can be used to manage nostalgia among immigrants in a new country. It creates an environment where one can engage in a practice that they have embraced since their childhood. It can help in managing homesickness, especially when an individual is in a country that has a significantly different socio-economic and political structure (Perez and Arnold-Berkovits, 2018). In this section, the goal of the researcher is to review literature to understand what other scholars have found out in this field.
Dance as a Therapy for Immigrants
Music and dance has always been considered a good combination of entertainment. In many African communities, music and dance formed the basis of many ceremonies as they are believed to alleviate pain, reduce social pressure, promote unity, and make people to believe in a better future. Dance was specifically selected in this study because one can rely on foreign music but still retain the traditional dance. According to Pylvänäinen (2008), unlike passively listening to music, dancing means that one has to be physically involved in the event. Besides the entertainment, there is physical exercise that results in exhaustion and improved physical and mental health.
Most of the traditional Ugandan dances are physically demanding. Ekitaguriro dance of the Banyankore is one of the most popular traditional dances in Uganda. As shown in figure 1 below, dances are expected to wear specific costumes before getting into the dance floor. It brings together men and women who have their unique attire. Originating from the Nkore or Ankole kingdom, the dance is used to communicate cultural information, tell stories, and celebrate important cultural events such as birth and marriages (Brown and Longley, 2018). The dance is known to be physically demanding but it can be practiced by anyone irrespective of their age.
Otole dance of the Acholi is another popular traditional dance in Uganda. It is a war dance that is meant to prepare young men for battles to protect their community. Dances are required to feathers on their heads, as shown in figure 2 below, and carry spears and shields, and perform mock fights (Rot, 2018). They were popularly used before traditional tribal wars or after winning a war. In the context of managing nostalgia, this song can help instil the determination to overcome challenges in a new land. It will remind the immigrant that they are soldiers that have to fight the challenges in the foreign land, and when necessary, go back home celebrating their victory. Such songs can be highly therapeutic for an immigrant student who is struggling to fit into the new society. It creates perseverance and the ability to numerous challenges of a life of an immigrant in the United States.
Social Constructionism
When an individual moves from one country of origin to another, they may find it difficult to fit in, especially when they migrate as adult. The concept of social constructionism helps in explaining the unique challenge that they may encounter. According to Kintu (2018), are norms, beliefs, and practices that a society develops that defines social interaction and way of life of a people. It defines the culture of a society and the role and responsibilities of different members of the society based on their gender and age. Different societies or communities have different social constructs, and as such, what is considered the norm in one country may be strange in a different country (Harris, 2019). As such, an immigrant may find it challenging to adopt to the beliefs and practices in the new country. It is important to look at social constructs that make one country unique from another.
Race is a major social construction that may cause nostalgia to an immigrant. One of the greatest concerns for any immigrant is the need to be socially accepted in the new community. However, there is always the feeling that one’s race would define how they will be accepted in a given community. Although the United States has made impressive progress in fighting racism, the problem has not been entirely eliminated (Jo et al., 2018). The majority of immigrants of colour feel that they do not belong to white communities (Dieterich-Hartwell, Goodill, and Koch, 2020). The nostalgia may be worse when they have to stay in communities dominated by whites. They will lack the sense of belonging, a factor that may worsen their nostalgia.
Gender is another social construct that is unique to a specific country or a region. In most of the developed countries in the west, especially in the United States and Western Europe, gender roles have evolved (Rot, 2018). In the corporate world, men and women can play similar roles because women have been academically and socially empowered. However, the same cannot be true in some of the developing countries. In the Middle East, women are still considered inferior to men in various respects (Verreault, 2017). As such, a Saudi Arabian who migrates to the United States may find it challenging to embrace the new culture regarding the role and position of men and women in the society.
The concepts of marriage and family vary from one region of the world to another depending on various cultural beliefs and practices. In the United States, marriage is a union of two adults who have equal responsibilities and rights (Erb, 2018). It is also common for people of the same gender to be legally married in this country. On the other hand, men tend to have greater responsibilities and rights, which include the ability to marry another woman, in most of the Islamic countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Same-sex marriage is a taboo and illegal in most of these countries (Aranda, Hills de Zárate, and Panhofer, 2020). When one migrates from Egypt to the United States, they may find the concepts of marriage and family unique, and sometimes unacceptable based on their values and cultural practices.
Organized religions is another major social construct that may affect the ability of an individual to adapt to cultural practices and beliefs of a new country. In the United States, Christianity is the dominant religion, with over 205 million people identifying as Christians (Kawano, 2018). Recent cases of terrorism worsened the problem of religious intolerance in the country, specifically against Muslims. Cases where people of Islamic faith, especially from the Middle East and Africa, are viewed as terrorists or their sympathizers have become common in the country (Kintu, 2018). Such cases only strain the relationship that an immigrant from these regions may have with white locals who practice Christianity. There will be a constant suspicion as the foreigner may be viewed as a potential terrorist who is planning an attack. Living in such a hostile environment only makes an individual nostalgic.
One of the most important social constructs that is unique from one country to another is the form of government. One may assume that when two country practice the same form of governance, they will share the same form of leadership. However, each government is unique in various ways (Rot, 2018). The United States and Uganda both practice democracy as the primary form of governance. Since 1986, Uganda has only had 1 president, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, while the United States has had 7 presidents (Bareka, Panhofer, and Cigaran, 2019). The form of governance that a Ugandan immigrant is used to varies significantly from what is available in the United States. Although one can easily assume that it is easy for one to adapt to such an advanced democracy, the truth is that it may take some time.
Doing something that one is used to may help address some of these challenges in the host country. Dance as a social and cultural practice can alleviate nostalgia among immigrant. The practice, which is a work out hence beneficial to one’s health, enables an individual to reconnect to their roots (Verreault, 2017). They get the opportunity to listen to their traditional songs in their first languages and engage in a dance that they have practiced for years. Although one may be in a different country, engaging in such a dance personally or with a couple of friends creates a homely atmosphere. One gets a sense of freedom, away from norms and practices in the new country, which to them, may be strange.
Theoretical Perspectives
Studies have shown that the lack of or inability of an immigrant to build an ideal home in a host country is partly caused by the nostalgia. The sentimentality for the past can affect the ability of an individual to see and take advantage of the opportunities presented to them. Studies have shown that dance therapy can help an individual to overcome the nostalgia and face the reality in a positive way. In this section, the focus is to discuss relevant theories that explain how dance therapy can alleviate nostalgia among immigrants.
Dance of Awareness
The dance of awareness, often referred to as DoA, has gained massive popularity over the recent past. Developed by Tim Brown and Clare Osbond, dance of awareness focuses on increasing self-awareness and self-acceptance (Caldwell and Leighton, 2016). When practiced regularly, it not only improves one’s physical wellbeing but also mental, spiritual, and emotional strength. Kintu (2018, p. 39) observe that “The dance gives the mover an opportunity to re-experience their formative years of early development, explore old imprints, and discover new patterns of moving and relating.” Irrespective of one’s location, they can relieve their past through this dance and get to understand how to connect the past with the present. It has five cycles that one needs to go through to have a full experience of dance of awareness.
The first phase of this dance is defined as the body directly. At this stage, one is expected to have an internal focus on the physical sensation of their flesh, bone, and muscle, and an external focus on the five senses (Verreault, 2017). It looks at how the body moves in response to the music. They should be able to see the actions, feel their movement, and enjoy the dance without focusing on what others around them think or do. The second phase is grounding the body in connection to the earth and others, to receive the support (Erb, 2018). One has to understand that to dance, they need to get the relevant support to make the necessary movement. The earth provides the primary support that one needs when making the movement. In other cases, one may rely on the support of others who are also participating in the dance to get the support necessary to make unique moves.
Once one has the right support, they can move to the next phase of the dance. The third phase involves expressing in shapes, movements, and patterns, which are ready to take form (Rot, 2018). The shapes and patterns are based on the context of the music and how one understands it. If it is a love song, one can use shapes and patterns in their dance to express the same. They allow their bodies to present the feeling that and emotions brought out by the music. It is followed by the fourth phase, which involves releasing the energy needed to move in the body (Verreault, 2017). One has to release the energy needed to make specific moves. Some moves require minimal energy while others are physically demanding because of the level of aggressiveness involved.
One needs to understand the nature of the dance to allow the body to fully prepare in terms of the level of energy needed. The next phase involves deeper connection into oneself and outwards with the world and others (Kintu, 2018). When dancing, one should be able to connect with their inner spirit and generate happiness without relying on the opinion of others. They should also connect with others around them and the world. They should transmit the positive energy to people around them. The last phase is completing the journey and getting back to the true nature (Erb, 2018). Like any other process, the dance must end, and it should do so sequentially and in a way that allows one to maintain the positive energy as they get back to their normal routine.
This theory is critical when analysing dance as a social and cultural practice to alleviate nostalgia among immigrants. First, it provides one with an opportunity to re-experience the formative years of their early development (Verreault, 2017). Irrespective of their geographic location, one can relieve events that happened several years, which make them happy. It is an effective way of alleviating nostalgia as one is able to focus their mind on what makes them happy as opposed to their current situation that they may find undesirable. Secondly, it creates a platform to explore old imprints (Rot, 2018). One can reflect upon the journey they have made in life, successes they have achieved, and the process that has enabled them to be in their current position. Thirdly, they can then discover new patterns of movement and relationship (Kintu, 2018). It creates a seemly process of bringing in the desirable past and merging it with the present. It makes one to appreciate the growth they have made and to appreciate the present even as they continue to cherish the past. They become more aware of their present in relation to the past as a way of reducing the emotional pain of being away from home.
Theory of Dance Movement Therapy
The theory of dance movement has also gained popularity among scholars and practitioners keen on finding ways of managing stress and depression. According to Payne (2020, p. 4), dance movement therapy can be “defined as the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance founded on the principle of motion and emotion being inextricably entwined.” It is based on the belief that sometimes emotions can be managed and improved through motions. The scholar explains that the motion and emotional relationship creates a channel through which an individual can embody a deeper connection with themselves (Payne, 2020). It is a form of therapy that makes us of movement in assisting individuals to achieve physical, emotional, social, and cognitive integration.
It views dance therapy as being critical or both mental and physical health. It can be used to manage stress, prevent lifestyle diseases such as obesity and coronary complications, and manage one’s moods both at home and in the workplace environment. The physical component of DMT increases muscular strength, mobility, coordination, and lowers muscular tension (Cantrick et al., 2018). It has gained relevance because of ease of its application in family settings, groups, couples, and individuals. Rot (2018) explains that DMT is effecting in promoting self-esteem, self-awareness, and a space safe enough for one to express their feelings. Self-understanding makes an individual to understand and appreciate that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Instead of dwelling on self-weaknesses, one should focus on their strengths as a means of overcoming weaknesses. This way, they will gain self-esteem instead of considering themselves as being less valuable. Similarly, such individuals will not focus on weaknesses of others. Instead, they will create an environment for mutual growth.
This form of therapy is essential for an immigrant who finds the cultural environment significantly different from the one they had at home. Intertwining motion and emotion means that through exercise, they gain a better understanding of themselves and how they can adapt to the new environment. One of the main reasons why people become nostalgic is when they are unable to adapt to the new environment (Verreault, 2017). They develop a feeling that things would be better in the old environment than they are in the new one. DMT helps such individuals to discover their untapped potentials and use it to overcome challenges they face. Besides improving their health, they will learn to appreciate what they can and cannot do under the new setting. Rot (2018) explains that the more one gains self-acceptance and esteem, they also gain acceptance within the community.
Individuals who embrace this therapy learn to overcome the constant feeling of being victims and realize that they can easily co-exist with others irrespective of their race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other demographical affiliation. Being free of physical issues such as chronic pain, obesity, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension; mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem; and socio-cognitive issues such as dementia, communication problems, aggression, violence, and trauma is a highly effective way of combating nostalgia (Erb, 2018). It makes the present to compare favourably against the past. By creating a positive environment around themselves, they become likable and easily acceptable in the new community.
Resilience Theory
This theory holds that the most important thing is when faced with any form of diversity is how one responds to and deals with it. When faced with misfortunes, frustration or any form of adversity, resilience is an important tool that helps one to overcome them (Kintu, 2018). It makes it possible to survive the negative force, make a full recovery, and sometimes even thrive in the wake of such misfortunes. To overcome an adversity, one needs to maintain a positive attitude. They have to understand that their situation is only temporary, and that as long as they do not give up, they will finally overcome and even thrive despite the challenge that they face. The resilience theory has ten principles, referred to as the facets of resilience, as shown in figure 3 below.
The first principle is the ability to achieve self-calm in the face of diversity. It is common for people to panic or react negatively in response to a negative force. Rot (2018) observes that the first step of achieving resilience is to stay calm when struck with negative forces. One needs to be calm to have a better understanding of what they are dealing with and how it can be managed. The second principle is self-care, as shown in the figure above. One needs to be physically and emotionally strong to overcome adversities. As such, they should take care of themselves physically and emotionally to have the strength to overcome the adversity. Dance is viewed as one of the ways of taking care of oneself because of the joy and physically activity involved.
The ability to self-replenish is another essential requirement for one who is resilient. When faced with an adversity, it is normal for one to feel that they are emotionally drained (Erb, 2018). It is at that stage of fighting the adversity that an individual may want to give up. However, resilient people know how to replenish as regularly as possible to ensure that they can fight on and achieve success. They will find inspiration and strength from unlikely sources to ensure that they remain committed to achieving their intended goals.
Emotional expressiveness in another requirement of a resilient person. It is okay for one to break down emotionally and even shed a tear, but that should not mean they give up (Kintu, 2018). Emotional expressiveness helps one to vent out the negative energy and let others know how much they are affected. Non-judgment and self-supporting is another major requirement. People tend to judge self and others harshly when faced with adversities (Mabingo, 2020). This principle emphasizes the need for one to avoid being judgmental. Instead, they should support and encourage themselves to make progress even when they feel they might not succeed.
Optimism is identified as another essential component of resilience. Despite the challenge that one is going through, they should remain optimistic that a solution will be found. The optimism makes the part of the solution instead of viewing themselves as victims who cannot overcome their conditions. Erb (2018) argues that when one is optimistic, they remain committed and energized to fight the problem they are facing. Hope is another essential element of resilience. Being hopeful means that an individual is not willing to give up. They remain determined to fight on even when faced with great loss.
Resilience requires hardiness in an individual in the face of adversity. A resilient person will not focus on the pain and frustration brought upon them by the adversity. Instead, they will be more interested in how to overcome their problem. Rot (2018) explains that hardiness does not mean such individuals are immune to pain. They pain and suffer but choose to focus on how to solve their problem. Sense of coherence is another important element of resilience theory. One needs to believe that life has a meaning worth fighting for, and that resources are always available to help overcome the unpredictable and chaotic parts of life (Kintu, 2018). The tenth principle is the social support necessary for one to overcome adversity. One needs to learn that sometimes they cannot overcome a problem on their own. They should learn to communicate with and engage others who have the capacity to help them succeed.
This theory is essential when an immigrant is struggling to overcome nostalgia. It reminds such individuals that life involves constant learning and sometimes one may be faced with adversity. A resilient person does not sympathize with themselves and their situation (Mabingo, 2020). Instead, they view such challenges as a challenge that they have to overcome. Living in a new country that is significantly different from the home country politically, socially, technologically, and socio-culturally may present numerous challenges. One may opt to live in the past, ignoring the present challenges and spending most of the time thinking about events that happened back in the home country. The problem with such an approach to life in a new country is that it does not solve the current problem. As such, one needs to appreciate the current situation, acknowledge that being nostalgic is normal, and be committed to finding a way forward.
Methodology
When planning to conduct research, it is essential to develop a clear plan that defines how data will be collected, processed, and presented in a way that effectively responds to the research questions and/or objectives. This chapter helps readers to understand how a researcher responded to the research questions using data obtained from a wide variety of sources. It looks at the study design, participants’ recruitment, and methods of data collection. Interviews, participant observation, and document analysis were the three main methods used to collect data.
Study Design
It is essential to define the appropriate research design needed to achieve the primary goal of a given study. In this research, the focus was to assess dance as a social and cultural practice to alleviate nostalgia among immigrants. It involved a case study of a Ugandan in California. According to Flick (2020), a researcher has to determine whether it is appropriate to use quantitative or qualitative research design based on the aim and objectives of a study. Quantitative research methods are always effective when the intent of the researcher is to ascertain the relationship between a dependent variable and dependent variables. It allows for empirical analysis of data using mathematical methods to arrive at a given conclusion. The outcome of such analysis can be presented in graphs, charts, or figures. The nature of this study makes this research design less desirable.
The researcher believed that to assess dance as a social and cultural practice to alleviate nostalgia among immigrant, qualitative methods would be the most effective research design. Also known as exploratory research, this approach allows the researcher to examine why a phenomenon occurred in a specific way, factors that influenced it, and its impact (Bairagi & Munot, 2019). Qualitative studies entails detailed explanation of specific issues of interest in relation to specific theories. It also entails the use of case studies to help in explaining a specific phenomenon. Exploratory study involves the use of open-ended questions that allow a researcher to collect detailed information about a specific phenomenon. Respondents are allowed to use their own words to explain a given issue. When necessary, they can provide further details on the question to justify their point or avoid ambiguity. In this case, this design was considered appropriate because it allowed for a detailed explanation of how dance can help alleviate nostalgia among immigrants in the country.
Participant Recruitment
Selecting participants is a critical process in collecting primary data. Flick (2020) explains that participants in a given study should be knowledgeable enough in the given field of study to provide reliable information. The sample size of those selected to be part of the investigation should be large enough to represent the entire population but at the same time, small enough to ensure that data can be collected from them within the timeframe of the study. In this study, there was a narrow definition of participants in terms of the nationality. For one to be included in this study, they had to be Ugandans who migrated to the United States as adults or teenagers. Another inclusion criteria is that they should be residing in San Francisco or Los Angeles in California. Because of the limited number of those who met the inclusion criteria, only 1 participant was recruited for the study.
The researcher directly contacted the participant who met the inclusion criteria. The primary goal of the study and the role he was expected to play in it were explained to him. He was informed that participation in the study was voluntary. He was also informed that he was at liberty to withdraw from the project when he felt he was compelled to do so. The researcher responded to questions and concerns of the respondent before collecting the needed information. Because of the concerns around COVID-19, the researcher opted to rely on direct phone calls to engage the participant and recruit him into the study.
Methods of Data Collection
When participants have been identified, the next step is to select the most appropriate method of collecting the needed data. Factors such as time available for the study, geographic location of the participants, availability of the respondents, and currently concerns about the spread of coronavirus, define the method that one can use to collect the needed data. The following methods were used in this project to collect the needed information.
Interviews
The researcher considered interviews as the most appropriate method of collecting data. Upon making arrangements with the participant, the researcher organized for a face-to-face meeting with him. Bairagi and Munot (2019) argue that face-to-face interview is one of the most effective methods of collecting data, especially when using open-ended questions, as was the case in this study. It allows the researcher to seek for clarifications whenever a respondent makes a claim that is ambiguous or one that conflicts with views of the majority. The interview was conducted at local dancing club as was convenient for of the participant. COVID management measures were taken into considerations when conducting interviews.
Participant Observation
Participant observation is another effective way of collecting data from participants. The researcher made an arrangement with the participant to observe events that happen in the dancing hall. It was necessary to observe how he interacted with others in such a social setting, and how happy he was before, during, and after the event. Of concern was to determine if information provided during the interview was a true reflection of the life of the participant. Information gathered during the observation processes helped in backing up data collected during the interview.
Document Analysis
Document analysis was another method used to collect data in this study. The two methods discussed above were used to collect primary data from respondents. However, it was equally important to collect secondary data, through a review of the literature, to understand what other scholars have found out in this field of study. Researcher used information from peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and other reliable online sources to inform the study. Online databases such as Google Scholar and JSTOR were critical in finding the necessary materials. Information obtained from these secondary sources were properly cited using the Harvard referencing style.
Data Management and Analysis
Once data was collected from the participants, the next step involved conducting an analysis to help in answering the research questions. The study primarily focused on a case study of a Ugandan living in California. Of interest was to determine how the respondent has used music to help him deal with nostalgia and lead a normal life away from home despite the culture shock. It is important to note that the respondent had explained that he regularly engages in traditional Ugandan songs as a way of dealing with homesickness.
Content Analysis
Content analysis focused on responding to specific research questions listed above. One of the questions focused on determining specific challenges that immigrants in the United States face. The respondent noted that culture shock was the main challenge that they face. Local Ugandan foods are not available and how people interact is different from what is the case back at home. The participants noted that these social challenges and the high cost of living in the country are some of the major causes of nostalgia among immigrants in the United States. He further explained that effects of nostalgia among immigrants and those close to them include inability to interact properly with locals, constant fear of the unknown, and depression.
The majority of immigrants in California try to manage the problem of nostalgia by trying to find and keep a close relationship with other immigrants from their home countries. However, other effective ways of managing nostalgia, such as the use of traditional dances, are emerging. The respondent reaffirmed that traditional dance therapy can be used to overcome nostalgia among immigrants in the country. It helps in reconnecting immigrants back to their roots. They get to practice something they have known since they were children. The physical nature of the dance and social interaction it creates not only promotes mental wellness but also physical health of those involved. As such, scholars and mental health practitioners should find ways of promoting this socio-cultural practice in the country.
Thematic Analysis
Thematic analysis was conducted based on the data that was obtained from the respondents. The researcher was interested in determining the effect of traditional Ugandan dances on the participant. It had been established that the participant regularly engaged in these traditional in the house and at a local dance club. The respondent was asked to state the impact of the dance. One of the common theme that came out was happiness. The respondent explained that regular dances made them happy after spending long hours at work. It made them forget about the challenges that the new society presents. Another theme that emerged during the primary data collection was peace.
The respondent noted that involving other members of the community in these traditional dances promoted unity. People tend to focus on the joy associated with the dance instead of socio-cultural and racial differences. Love and unity were the other common themes noted in the case study. When a section of the community members engage in these local traditional dances, they learn a new culture, and sometimes they love it. It helps in reducing hate in the community caused by demographical differences. Instead, it promotes unity and a desire to address social challenges as a united society. Table 1 below summarizes themes that emerged from the analysis.
Researcher Positionality/Reflexivity
I considered it necessary to state my position on this topic based on my knowledge and experiences. I believe dance as a social and cultural practice can alleviate nostalgia among immigrants in the United States. I came to this country from Uganda as an adult. The intention was to complete my education in the country and consider taking a job because opportunities that the country has to offer are better than what is available back in Uganda. Events leading to and the process of moving from Uganda to the United States were thrilling. The thought of moving to the land of opportunities and achieving my full potential was pleasant. However, the reality was not as much pleasing upon arriving in the country.
One of the biggest challenge that I faced in the country as an immigrant from a developing country was the cost of living. Having access to basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare is significantly more expensive than what it costs in Uganda. There was also the culture shock that affected me as soon as I settled down. The communal setting where people are committed to the affairs of one another is lacking in the United States. In this country, individualism is the norm and it takes time for one who had embraced collectivism to adapt to the new system. When I came to the country, it took time for me to find others from the same country. As Rot (2018) observes, there is a wrong assumption that people from the same country have the same culture. For a country like Uganda, there are different ethnic groups with distinct socio-cultural practices. The Acholis have a socio-cultural practice that is different from the Langi or the Baganda. Finding an immigrant in the United States from the same country and same ethnic group may not be easy.
Loneliness starts to creep in as one struggles to fit in a new socio-cultural system. These challenges are worsened by the problem of racism and police brutality (Sedikides and Wildschut, 2019). For an immigrant, tales and recent cases of police using their authority to brutalize and sometimes murder minorities, especially blacks, may be worrying. One is forced to live in constant fear, especially when they have to drive to work and are likely to encounter law enforcement officers. The more one encounters these challenges, the more they become nostalgic. Based on experience, I know that the majority of these immigrants are unable to travel back home because of the financial challenges or sometimes their legal status of their stay in this country. It means that they have to find ways of adapting.
Dance offers one of the best ways of adapting to the new socio-cultural environment in the new country. I strongly believe that one of the ways of enabling immigrants to fight nostalgia is to encourage them to maintain some of the socio-cultural practices of their home country. Most of the Ugandan traditional dances are physically demanding. It means that in the process of dancing, one will be working out. Instead of being physically inactive while thinking about life at home, the physical exercise not only creates happiness but helps in fighting lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and coronary diseases among others. One gets to appreciate their current situation and learn how to live with it.
The immigrants also get to appreciate the need for growth and change as a way of achieving development. When they get to recruit others to participate in the dance, irrespective of their race or country of origin, they will be creating a new community that shares something in common. It will create a unique bond with the foreigners, making it easy for one to fight off the nostalgia that may negatively influence their lives in the new country. It will also help in demonstrating the level of diversity in the United States.
Ethical Considerations
When conducting research, it is essential to take into consideration ethical issues. According to Sheppard and Broughton (2020), one of the most important factors that one has to consider is the need to protect the identity of the respondents. It is possible to find cases with the opinion of the respondent is contrary to that of those in power or the majority. Sometimes a person may be victimized or discriminated against because of their divergent opinion. As such, it is the responsibility of a researcher to ensure that the identity of participants is protected.
In this study, the identity of the participant was protected although the topic under investigation is not a sensitive one. The researcher also informed the participant about the significance of the study and the role that they would play, as Smeekes and Jetten (2019) recommend. Their participation was voluntary and all the issues that they had about the study were addressed. The school also had rules that the researcher had the ethical responsibility of observing. The document was written from scratch, and any form of plagiarism avoided. The report was completed within the time that the school had set.
Dissemination of Findings
The analysis of the primary data above and the review of the literature strongly suggests that dance as a socio-cultural practice can alleviate nostalgia among immigrants in the United States. The study shows that although the practice is less common among immigrants, it can be used to help those who are homesick to lead normal lives in the country. The practice not only improves mental health of the participants but also the physical health, as Rot (2018) observes. The physical exercise associated with the dance help in fighting obesity, diabetes, coronary complications, and a host of numerous other health problems. Staying healthy in a foreign country is critical as one can focus on personal growth and development.
Findings show that dance therapy is yet to gain significance in the country. There are dance clubs and most of the local gyms are also using song and dance as a form of exercise (Verreault, 2017). However, counsellors and other mental health therapists are yet to integrate dance therapy as one of the services they offer. The practice is still largely considered a physical exercise instead of the case study of a Ugandan in California demonstrates that these immigrants face numerous challenges in a foreign country. The new food, a new language, a new socio-political structure, dealing with a case where there are no family members, and the high cost of living are some of the challenges that they face. As such, the majority of these immigrants develop homesickness soon after getting into the new country. Finding a way of addressing these challenges is essential in ensuring that one leads a normal life in the new country. Using Ugandan traditional dance as a socio-cultural practice has proven to be effective in alleviating nostalgia for the subject who was under investigation.
Relevance of the Study
The United States has remained one of the most attractive destinations for migrants coming from different countries in the world. A significant number of those coming to the United States are from the developing economies of Africa, Asia, South and Central America (Luth-Hanssen, Fougner, and Debesay, 2020). They are primarily driven by economic reasons because of the problem of unemployment in their home countries. The problem arises when these immigrants realize that the socio-economic and political environment in the United States is significantly different from that in the home country. They become nostalgic, especially when they cannot regularly interact with other immigrants from their home country. These individuals have to adapt to the new environment for them to survive in the new country. They have to learn to live an environment where they have no access to their favourite food and other socio-cultural practices common in the home country.
The study seeks to find ways in which these immigrants can overcome nostalgia in their host countries. According to Marsh (2017), one of the ways in which one can deal with the problem of homesickness is to find a way of doing what they like. Traditional dancing is one of the ways that an individual can reconnect to their life in the home country. Instead of spending a lot of time thinking about home, one can engage in a traditional dance to help them feel at home. They can dance by themselves or recruit others to participate in such an activity. All it takes is some form of practice and access to the right music to engage in the dance. Although having a traditional song may be the best way of facilitating the dance, it is sometimes possible to use a foreign music but maintain the traditional dance.
This study is relevant because it assesses how dance can be viewed as a form of therapy to help those who suffer from nostalgia. According to Kawano and Chang (2019), traditional dances are considered a form of entertainment. However, studies have shown that they offer more than just that. They can be used as a powerful tool of fighting emotional problems. When one is nostalgic, staying in bed or watching a movie is often some of the preferred alternatives. However, they do not provide an effective solution to the problem. Being physically engaged offers a better alternative to solving the problem. After the exercise, one will feel energetic enough to face other social challenges in the new country. It improves sleep and has numerous other health benefits discussed above. As such, therapists need to integrate it as one of the solutions to those who are dealing with emotional challenges.
Tentative Time Plan
It is necessary to have a timeline of activities that will be involved in writing the final dissertation for the PhD program. The first activity will be the development of a research proposal. The document will explain the aim and objectives of the study and how data will be collected from various sources and analysed to achieve the goal. The document will have to be approved by the supervisor before the actual process of conducting the study can proceed. Literature review will be a continuous activity. It will start at the initial stage when developing the proposal and will continue to the final stage of writing the document and editing as secondary data will have to be appropriately cited and reference list.
Another major activity will be the collection of primary data. Besides information obtained from books and journals, the researcher will need to collect data from a sample of participants. Once primary data is collected, the next step will be to conduct analysis to help in answering the research questions. The information from both primary and secondary data sources will be used to develop the dissertation. The final stage of the journey will be passing the viva examination.
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