DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 13 -- A SMALL word before we begin: Watani wa Jadi is used here in the old East African spirit of affectionate rivalry, teasing and neighbourly banter.

In Tanzania, the phrase is often applied to Kenyans, not as an insult, but as a warm acknowledgement of a relationship built on history, proximity, shared culture, Kiswahili (and English?), sport, trade and plenty of mutual leg-pulling.

Traditional watani are people allowed a little extra freedom to joke with one another because the relationship itself is strong enough to carry the joke.

So the mischief that follows is written in that spirit. No pun intended. No border dispute is being reopened and no diplomatic mission needs to issue a statement.

This is cousins t...