FIRST FORMERS of Christ Church Foundation School researched their African cultural heritage to present an exhibition steeped in Barbadian traditions at the school yesterday.

On display were herbal teas, a variety of dried plants and bushes, bush baths, herbal treatments, foods, and a khus khus grass bed, all prepared by the children with assistance from parents and grandparents for the special project.

The school's history and social science teacher Annette Maynard-Watson said it was part of the academic syllabus for secondary schools, dealing with the African heritage and cultural retention.

Since February is recognised as Black History Month, this part of the syllabus was "brought forward", Maynard-Watson said, and for the past three weeks her classes have been focussing on healthy herbs.

Maynard-Watson, a herbal educator, has done her own extensive research into local plants, experimenting with many of them.

Enthusiastic students told the NATION yesterday that the project "was interesting".

Speaking specifically about the bush teas, Vernon James said, "not all of them taste good, but they will help you", while Michaela Inniss showed off the bayleaf tea for which she said she had acquired a taste because of the addition of her own spices and flavourings. (GC)