-in observance of ‘Year of People of African Descent’
MERCY Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre last Friday hosted a spirited and well received cultural programme titled ‘Things Africa’, in recognition of the UN-designated ‘Year of the People of African Descent.’
Organized by the academic staff, with the support of students and their parents, as well as the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), the programme was both entertaining and educational, and featured from African dancing and drumming and songs (performed by the students and guest artistes) to a mouth-watering exhibition of African dishes, such as conkee, cassava pone, foo-foo, metemgee and corn bread.
The team also shared with attendees the cherished and almost long-lost art of making foo- foo’, with a demonstration by Mr. Terrence Fox.
And of course, there could be no African display or programme without the presence of the ubiquitous African clothing, and so guests and the school’s population alike were treated to a fabulous garment display.
Presented by the trainees (students) and staff, it featured a variety of richly-designed African outfits, which left patrons literally agape.  There were also two garment display segments, with attractive African outfits being displayed by both teachers and brazen tiny tots of the school’s Day-care Department.
Meanwhile, among the inspiring and educational segments from which the attendees were able to glean valuable knowledge was an intriguing African head-wrapping demonstration by ACDA President, Mrs. Marshall, who did a variety of wraps for from royalty to peasantry. It was a free demonstration, for which those witnessing it claimed they will be eternally grateful.
A motivational talk was given by historian and archivist, Mr. Tommy Payne, and poems by staff members, Mrs. Barbara King and Dain Jones.
But  clearly, based on the crowd’s reaction, the pick of the lot was popular artiste, Henry Rodney’s delectable and animated ‘Queh-Queh’ demonstration, which had the crowd roaring with laughter, dancing, prancing and literally begging for more. 
It was literally ‘Queh-Queh with Henry Rodney’, who demonstrated with a passion and fervour and all it took to make a really exciting demonstration. The students were all eyes, ears, mouth and feet, and played a great part onstage as they joined Rodney, who gave a vivid and detailed demonstration, from beginning to end.
Belting out a medley of African folk songs, and expertly delivering the different stamps of the feet, much to their delight, the students willingly joined in the song and dance and all the attendant demonstrations.
That apart, many lessons were learnt about marriage, courtship, the ancient art of ‘writing home’ for a girl; what constitutes adequate preparation for a wedding;  the bride price;  and the role played by relatives of both parties — like it or not — and last but not least, the moment when the entire village throngs behind them both in celebration on the night of the Queh-Queh.