With 70% of the population of Uganda living below the poverty line according to the Northern Uganda Baseline Survey, one might reasonably wonder whether dance is necessary or even beneficial to their communities at this point. When basic needs of the people of these communities remain unmet, what is the point of collaborating in dance classes and performances with them?
1) Dance uplifts the spirit and expresses the soulThe health and well-being of an individual reaches much deeper than merely his or her physical state. His emotional, psychological, and spiritual states are equally important. In post-conflict areas such as Northern Uganda in which much of the population has witnessed or experienced horrific violence, it becomes even more valuable to promote the recovery and renewal of one's mental and emotional states. Dance is the joyous and freeing movement of the body in response these states. It can be used to release pent-up emotions, express one's mood, or explore how one intrinsically responds to music or other movement.
2) Dance is a vehicle around which communities internationally are willing to mobilizeThe artistic community is a well-connected and passionate group of individuals seeking to promote creativity in all of its forms. Tuzina wants to harness the energy of this far-reaching community and channel it toward promoting social justice on behalf of those affected by the war in Northern Uganda.
3) Dance tells a storyDance, as a powerful art form, can be used to explain a situation or memory in a distinct and moving way. It provides a platform through which individuals may share his or her personal story across cultural lines, an act which is very empowering for those who have suffered silently in the past. Dance is a tool of remembrance, for story-telling repertoire may be performed for years to come.
4) Dance allows for personal connection and communication
Dancing requires time and dedication in order to learn the movement and progress in one's technique. It therefore necessitates conversation with and exploration by teachers, students, and fellow dancers. Learning movement is a process of technical and artistic growth, and often it simultaneously brings about personal growth. When the class or rehearsal is conducted in a positive and nurturing way, dance has the potential to deepen the bonds of those taking part and bring them to a clearer sense of who they are in connection with those around them.
5) Dance celebrates culture
Dance reflects the beliefs and values of the culture it represents. In a world so often divided along cultural lines, dance confronts these differences by celebrating rather than lamenting them. It is often the case that one style of dance has been highly influenced by another style that was developed in a culture very different from one's own. Yet this is an aspect of beauty in the dance world because it displays the correlation of its progression through communities across the globe for generations. On a personal level, dance becomes an expression of national identity and a celebration of a community's history.
