This 1947 film “People of Saba” looks at the small Caribbean island which is the smallest special municipality (officially “public body”) of the Netherlands. Saba consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery, at 887 metres (2,910 ft) the highest point of the entire Netherlands. The film was made before an airport was built on the island, and it was essentially cut off from the outside world except by ship.
Saba has a land area of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi). As of January 2013, the population was 1,991 inhabitants, with a population density of 150 inhabitants per square kilometre (390/sq mi). Its towns and major settlements are The Bottom (the capital), Windwardside, Hell’s Gate and St. Johns.
At 1:10, the film opens with a signal flag being hoisted as the weekly steamer that arrives at the island is sighted. At 2:00 the steamer is anchored off shore and locals meet boats as they land, bringing mail and other supplies. At 3:13, mules bring supplies from a cove back to the interior of the volcanic island. Some supplies are carried to the village by hand. At 4:00 the interior of the island is shown. At 5:30 ice cream is made by hand for a child, and at 5:40, a tea party is thrown, and local women make embroidery. At 6:30, a government road project is seen which employs many of the local men. At 7:53 the saba root is harvested and made into food. The film vividly shows how the cooperation of the locals is critical. At 8:16 the doctor is summoned not by phone, but by a child running to his home. The doctor rides to the child’s house by horseback. At 9:30 a boat is lowered into the ocean by hand, an extremely difficult task.
Saba consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery. At 887 metres (2,910 ft) the volcano is the highest point within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The vegetation of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns and damp soil, and many mango trees. Visitors refer to Saba’s forests as “the Elfin Forest” because of its high altitude mist, and mossy appearance. A woodland reserve was created and named “Elfin Forest Reserve”. Saba’s lush plant and animal wildlife is diverse and is cared for by the Saba Conservation Foundation.
There used to be forests of Mountain Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees, which are Freziera undulata in the family Theaceae. Despite the common name, these trees are not related to other Mahogany species. One species of true mahogany tree is found planted on the island at lower levels, and that is the small-leaved mahogany Swietenia mahagoni, Meliaceae. The native mahogany trees are considered to be at risk of becoming extinct on Saba.
Today the tourism industry now contributes more to the island’s economy than any other sector. There are about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba has a number of inns, hotels, rental cottages and restaurants. Saba is known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean. Saba is especially known for its ecotourism, having exceptional scuba diving, climbing and hiking.
The Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport offers flights to and from the nearby islands of St. Maarten and Sint Eustatius. There is also a ferry service from St. Maarten; the ferry boats “Dawn II ~ The Saba Ferry” and “The Edge” both travel to Saba three times a week. In addition, there are anchorages for private boats.[
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
