‘Market Mammies’ Welcome Queen

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 13

‘Market Mammies’ Welcome Queen

(NX. Press Assn.—Copyright) ACCRA, November 11. The Queen yesterday received a colourful, ear-splitting welcome from the fat, hip-undulating “market mammies” when she visited the bedlam of Makola Market. The “market mammies,” who run the stalls, sang “Their Grace in Heaven, Let there be Peace on Earth,” as the Queen walked through the market. In spite of the 85 degree heat and the bustling life of the market, the Queen looked cool, in a pink dress and matching hat, said the British United Press.

Some of the "mammies” were presented to the Queen, including some wearing togas, their bare shoulders painted with the word "welcome* ’ in green. They presented the Queen with a gold brooch. , The boisterous crowd waved shawls and towels and shouted “Yes, yes. yes” as the Queen passed by. Some jumped from one roof to the next, following her progre” through the market. Signs reading “Lizzie, you are fine, beautiful,” “Lizzie, our hearts are for you,” and “Lizzie, smile again to us,” greeted the Quec The "market mammies” gave the Queen an exuberant. unrehearsed reception. One commented: “When woman talks to woman in embrace, no rehearsal is necessary. One heart is close to the other.” Another said: “She be boss of many men. We like to see a woman who is so powerful.” A plump woman stallowner in a Sir Walter Raleigh act, threw her coloured silk scarf to the Queen’s feet for her to walk on. The Queen told a lady-in-waiting to pick up the scarf and keep it—bringing a victory dance of glee by its owner, reported Reuter. Visit To Nursery Probably one of the most memorable points of the visit came when ’he Queen visited the Governmentsponsored Queen Elizabeth the Second Accra Day Nursery, reported Reuter. For 20 minutes she watched obviously trying to be serious but breaking into wide smiles from time to time, as three and four-year-old children went about household chores in Lilliputian houses. She was presented with a bouquet by a girl who trembled with excitement as she went on to both knees. Earlier, the Queen and Duke had been given another rousing reception from the people of Accra when, with

President Nkrumah. they watched a surf-boat regatta on the beach of Accra harbour. They saw a dazzling display of skill by Accra’s surf boatmen. The crews are used to showing their skill to distinguished visitors, but yesterday they seemed determined to excel themselves. For half an hour they surged their boats over the high surf chanting their cries and flashing their oars in unison. President Kwame Nkrumah and his wife seemed as thrilled by the magnificent seamanship as were the Royal visitors. Before the boats left the beach the Queen inspected a guard of boatswains and was presented with a bouquet by eight-year-old Victoria Quartey, daughter of Accra’s ch'of fisherman. Later she handed the winning trophy to the crew coming in first in the traditional, ihrill-packed race. After leaving the regatta, she met members of the

Ghana Council of Women and then went to the market. reported the British United Press. She then gave a lunch for the Commonwealth High Commissioners and later attended a garden party and a reception for the diplomatic corps. A Remembrance Day service in Black Star square is the only item on the Queen's formal itinerary for today, which is a day of rest for the Royal visitors. During the service, which will take place tn the cool of evening. Her Majesty will lay a wreath on the memorial to Ghanaian war dead. The Royal couple will spend most of the day in the Christiansborg Castle area. Tomorrow the Queen and the Duke will leave the capital by air for Tamale, capital of the Northern Territories. Princess On Picnic (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) HONG KONG, Nov. 12. Princess Alexandra today set out on a launch picnic to waters west and south of Hong Kong Island. She took with her her swimsuit. There was no official information on what the Princess would do or exactly where she would go, but she was expected to have supper as well as lunch aboard the yacht The Princess, wearing a red and white striped frock and red heed scarf, was accompanied by the Governor, his family and members of her personal staff.