Subjective Identity

For many the question of personal identity is not necessarily linked to where they were born, where they spent most of their life, or where they are right now. Sometimes it’s a mix of the three, sometimes it’s where you feel comfortable and at home. A fellow worker at the tourism office made this point clear to me. Unlike her, I have lived the majority of my life in the same place that I was born. She was born in Velez-Malaga, but has spent time in the Balearic Islands, Cordoba, and now feels at home in Malaga. Her husband is from Malaga and she has spent her recent years here working in the tourism office. She explained to me that her personal identity is not based on where she was born since her childhood was divided between various places. She says that she identifies personally with Malaga, and calls herself a malagueña. Her love for her new home has driven her to write a children’s book, which was recently published, about the culture, heritage, and identity of Malaga. She later asked me if I felt the personal connection to Malaga, and if I identified as a pseudo- malagueña. After giving it thought I understood how personal identity could vary from person to person. In a basic sense, if it’s possible to have a “multi-identity,” I do feel a similar connection to the city of Malaga after living her for eight months.