Sri Lankan Migrants in New Zealand
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OCEANS AWAY: SRI LANKAN MIGRANTS IN NEW ZEALAND Explorations of Hybrid Identities, Distance & Everyday Material Practices A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at The University of Waikato by SHEMANA CASSIM The University of Waikato 2017 ii ABSTRACT The past 50 years have seen a remarkable increase in migration, with more people moving than ever before. In New Zealand, foreign born peoples comprised over a quarter of the population in 2013, most of whom were from Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. These developments necessitate more culture specific research with these migrant communities in order to gain a greater understanding of their settlement experiences. Accordingly, this thesis explores the ways in which eight households of Sri Lankan migrants living in New Zealand, navigate distance (geographical, social and imagined), and establish a sense of continuity between the here (host nation) and there (country of origin). I demonstrate that migrant settlement and negotiations of belonging in their new homes are more complex and dynamic than what is indicated in previous research. The theoretical framework for this research is informed by ethnography, narrative and social practice theory, complemented by indigenous research perspectives and participatory methods. Particular attention is paid to migrants’ complex and fluid cultural identities, their negotiations of space and place, material practices and objects of significance. First, this research delves into the notion of hybrid identities, and argues for the need to acknowledge both the historical and current contexts that shape migrants’ cultural identities. Second, I emphasise that spaces and places are not mere backdrops in the everyday lives of migrants. Rather, public, domestic and mediated spaces can provide transnational links between the here and there. Such spaces are actively constructed and defined by the people inhabiting them, and thus play an important role in facilitating a sense of belonging in a foreign country. Third, I explore the centrality of food related material practices to the (re)establishment of a sense of normality, familiarity and stability in migrants’ everyday lives. The present research provides a rich understanding of migrant experiences, from which to argue that migrants’ everyday lives span not only localised or national borders, but also the past, present and future. This research foregrounds the agency and resilience of migrants, and acknowledges the complexities of everyday life. iii iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am immensely grateful to everyone who helped me along the long and winding (yet ultimately satisfying) journey that was my PhD. I am grateful for their motivation, encouragement, advice and above all, their patience. First and foremost, I thank my participants and their households who were so generous with their time and stories. Without you all, this research would not have been possible. I thank you for graciously accepting me into your homes and accommodating my numerous visits. I also greatly appreciate all that you did to make me feel at home; all the delicious food, and the shared recipes and advice. You all were a huge part of making this journey the enjoyable and rich experience that it was. I am especially indebted to my supervisors Dr. Ottilie Stolte, Professor Darrin Hodgetts and Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora for being the amazing people that you are. Ottilie, thank you for always being my rock, and for your never ending support and motivation. Thank you for not only being a supervisor, but also a colleague and a friend. Darrin, thank you for continuing to stand by me, fit me into your immense schedule and for continuing to be my supervisor despite leaving our Uni. I really appreciate all that you have done, and continue to do for me. Linda, thank you for agreeing to join the ‘team’, and for your advice and support throughout my journey. Basically, thank you all for everything! I would like to sincerely acknowledge the scholarships awarded to me during the course of my research. Thank you Linda and the Māori & Psychology Research Unit for the Internal Study Award. Thank you to the Scholarships Committee and the University for the University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship. Thank you for providing me with the funds to get through the last three years. I would also like to thank Binula, Vidhiya, Kumar Uncle, Sanjeeva Uncle and Arshini Aunty for getting me in touch with, and personally introducing me to all my participants. Thank you also to Amanda for your help, and Charithra for your v advice and all those other things that I annoyed you with! Without all of your help, this research would not have been possible. Thank you also to my ‘PhD support cluster’; Rebekah and Kimberly. Our coffee catch-ups were what kept me going these last three years. I really appreciate all your support and encouragement. Thank you for putting up with all my whining and for always motivating me to keep going in all my ‘I’m sick of everything’ phases. You two are the best! And last but not least, my family. Thank you for standing by me, supporting me, encouraging me and putting up with me throughout this journey. Thank you, for helping me become who I am today, and for seeing all my potential before I even knew that I was capable of any of it. This one is for you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................ v LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... xi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 Sri Lanka: A brief history of immigration and emigration ..................................... 2 Sri Lankans in New Zealand ..................................................................................... 7 Objectives and thesis overview ............................................................................ 10 CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND ................................................................................. 15 Immigration: A brief overview .............................................................................. 16 Migrant identity and sense of home .................................................................... 21 Home-making practices, contact zones and place .............................................. 25 Imagined distance: Continuity between the here and there............................... 28 The notion of distance ........................................................................................... 30 Immigration, (social) distance and the present research .................................... 32 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 35 An approach informed by indigenous psychologies ............................................ 35 Theoretical framework .......................................................................................... 39 Ethnography and autoethnography ................................................................. 39 A narrative perspective ..................................................................................... 41 Social practice theory ........................................................................................ 45 Empirical engagement with participant households ........................................... 47 Participatory research methods ........................................................................ 47 Participant recruitment ..................................................................................... 48 vii Participant households ...................................................................................... 55 Ethical considerations ........................................................................................... 61 Process of analysis ................................................................................................. 62 CHAPTER FOUR: HABITUS AND HYBRID IDENTITIES ................................................ 65 Habitus ................................................................................................................... 66 Hybrid cultural identities ....................................................................................... 73 Interconnected spatialities ..................................................................................