Last time I was in Kenya my relatives were discussing
barbeque.

“Giulia we’ll make you some good nyama choma. You must miss that living in America.”

“We have bbq places in the States too.” I responded.

My uncle Ohon looked at me like with an amalgamate of humor
and disgust. “Giulia, have you turned mzungu? I’m not talking about your
BBQ  – I talking about real flavor Nyama
Choma.”

Nyama Choma just means “roasted meat”. Oddly when I speak to
most Kenyans, that act like they invented the stuff. Logic doesn’t sway them
either. I’ve pointed out that roasted animal flesh exists everywhere there are
animals and fire, which is the entire world. Nonetheless, other cultures just
burn meat, only Kenyans know the secret of roasting.

Growing up in the United States I heard that it was here that great things like barbeque, freedom, democracy and the telephone were born. I mention the telephone because I enjoy occasionally goading people into a discussion about Antonio Meucci. Senor Meucci immigrated from Tuscany to New York in the late 1800’s. A genius, but unfortunately for him a poor one, he invented a device that electronically transmitted the human voice. In 1871, lacking the money to apply for a full patent he applied for a “patent caveat” a temporary patent. In 1874 when this caveat expired Meucci lacked the funds to renew. Alexander Graham Bell filed for a full patent of the telephone one year later.

Everyone in Italy knows this, though it seems to come as a surprise to many in the States. It shouldn’t however, since on June 11, 2002 Congress passed a resolution stating,
“Whereas if Meucci had been able to pay the $10 fee to maintain the caveat after 1874, no patent could have been issued to Bell: Now, therefore, be it is Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the life and achievements of Antonio Meucci should be recognized, and his work in the invention of the telephone should be acknowledged.”

Everyone rushes to claim some fame. Whether it’s the prize of best meat dishes or most useful inventions, people by nature want to boast about how their people do it best. Objectivity doesn’t exist. All that exists is a myriad of opposing subjectivities. Just remember that the next time you’re gnawing away at a nice juicy rib. By all means enjoy your barbecue, but don’t try to tell other people how to enjoy theirs.