ABSTRACT
In this chapter, Venya Patel merges metaphorical and bodily movement by thinking about nomadic subjectivity and identity. Metaphorical movement is related to writing, reading, and thinking as forms of nomadic journeying into the conceptual world. This is explored through Rosi Braidotti, who argues for ‘nomadic subjectivity’ which overcomes fixed conceptual boundaries perpetuated by ‘power structures’ as identity. This stems from the feminist need for intersectionality combined with the ‘moving’ situatedness of nomads that allows transgression of disciplinary boundaries. Sara Ahmed argues against Braidotti’s metaphorical nomadic subject by looking at the reality of migrants/transnationals. The importance of socio-political history in relation to ‘identity’ is highlighted by showing how metaphors erase such realities. Instead of metaphorizing nomadic subjectivity, Ahmed metaphorizes ‘home’ as the ‘second skin’ of nomads. This connotes to how unfamiliarity and estrangement are vital aspects that ground nomadic identity in a search for home rather than desiring to leave home. Finally, through Ahmed’s emphasis on bodily spaces, Patel phenomenologically thinks about the second skin in relation to her situatedness. Patel engages in experimental writing and personal reflection of myself swinging. This demonstrates an active merging of Braidotti’s nomadic subject who writes and thinks, and Ahmed’s nomad who embodies the second skin and feels at home by identifying with estrangement. The merging is grounded in the shared importance of being aware of one’s situatedness.
