The Land and People of Saba – Albert & Michael – Saba Island Properties
A follower of our monthly Blog asked us to reshare one of our most popular posts on the history of the people of Saba. So here it is – from our archives. Enjoy the read and please share it with others.
Thank you – Albert & Michael
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We value the history of Saba and acknowledge the land and the Indigenous People who first lived and worked here.
Indigenous is about belonging and comes from the Latin word indigena, which means “native – sprung from the land.”
Land acknowledgment is a custom dating back centuries. It’s a powerful way of showing respect to the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we work and live, a simple way of telling the truth and resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and working towards honoring different cultures and rituals.
We know the Ciboney (Soo-bony) 1100 BC from Haiti, Cuba and the Dominica Republic and the Arawak (Ar-a-wak) Indians 800 AD from South America were the founding people of Saba, which should always be celebrated.
Our roots are in the land
> Saba is thought to have been originally inhabited by the Ciboney people as early as the 1100s BC – people of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
> Later, circa 800 AD, Arawak indigenous people from South America settled on the island.
> Christopher Columbus is said to have sighted the island on 13 November 1493; however, he did not land, being deterred by the island’s perilous rocky shores.
> In 1632, a group of shipwrecked Englishmen landed on Saba.
> In the 1640s, the Dutch Governor of the neighboring island of Sint Eustatius (Statia) sent several Dutch families over to colonize the island.
> In 1664, refusing to swear allegiance to the English crown, these original Dutch settlers were evicted to St. Maarten by Jamaican governors-cum-pirates Edward, Thomas, and Henry Morgan.
> The Netherlands gained control of the island in 1816.
The earth is what we all have in common and when you stand on a piece of land it holds not just the vital facts of history but the lives and feelings of people – individuals, family, community.
Here are several quotes about nature and land and people that matter to us:
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“Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” – Mark Twain – American writer, humorist
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“The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.” – Gandhi – Indian lawyer,
anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist
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“The real wealth of the Nation lies in the resources of the earth — soil, water, forests, minerals, and wildlife…
Their administration is not properly, and cannot be, a matter of politics.” – Rachel Carson – Marine biologist
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“The land is sacred; it belongs to the countless numbers who are dead, the few who are living, and the multitudes of those yet to be born.” – Penan, nomadic indigenous people – Sarawak, Malaysia
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Saba (+599) 416 – 2777
Emails: Albert@sabaislandproperties.com or Michael@sabaislandproperties.com
Some Testimonials from Our Happy Clients
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Michael’s writing is published at Arianna Huffington’s – Thrive Global, The Huffington Post,
Medium, Maria Shriver’s Website, LinkedIn, Michael Port, The Fordyce Letter, Mélange Magazine and others.
Along with this international monthly Blog Michael publishes daily on his coaching website – Commit2Change.
Michael Feeley
Michael Feeley, Life Coach:
www.michaelfeeleylifecoach.com
Why Saba?
After living and working in New York City for 40+ years I leaped right out of the rat race of corporate America; leaving behind the relentless stress and competition that was wasting me; to rediscover what really matters to me in life.
We went looking for a new home all over the world - the Azores, the Maldives, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Malta, the Caribbean and by pure luck, found Saba.
Saba gives me peace, joy, freedom and a community where I feel I belong. People are respected here; living free and open, in the heart of deep nature and incredible beauty. It's a remarkable change.
The work we do enables us to care about other people. Helping them find a new home with practical empathy for their needs and dreams. It's an emotional investment. To listen. To understand. It's work that matters to us. Work we're proud of.
Maybe you have similar yearnings for change. Wanting a better way to live.
A place where you feel at home, with yourself and with the world.
You might just be looking for a new spot to vacation. Unique. Unknown. Crowd-less. Safe. Friendly.... Hello Saba.
Or... you're already hooked on Saba and keep coming back year after year because you love it! Booking your favorite hotel and room or renting a Saba cottage or villa.
Or... Saba's lifestyle makes you dream of a bigger change. A more personal connection to this exclusive, wonder of an island. Something lasting. Just yours and investing in a home is fixed in your mind and heart.
Feel free to email me and let's find out exactly what you want and see - Is the Caribbean island of Saba right for you? Let's make those thoughts and wishes a reality and then... they won't be thoughts and wishes anymore.
I look forward to saying to you one day --'Welcome home!
Be it for a week or... a lifetime.
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*And yes, it's true. I was a professional actor, singer, model (actually working) in New York City and noted theatres throughout the United States: The Actors Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Syracuse Stage, Elitch Gardens, Ogunquit Playhouse -- working with John Raitt, Howard Keel, Allan Jones, Howard Da Silva, Tovah Feldshuh, Bobby Van, Ford Models.
(I even sang for President Jimmy Carter).
I transitioned from acting (because I wanted to) into the travel industry and later, working as a headhunter for over 20 years in NYC with: The Marriott Corporation, Jones Dairy Farm, Cotton Incorporated, The New York Post, Spike Lee DDB, MetLife, Sullivan & Cromwell, Peter Marino Architect, Reliance National Insurance, Black Rock Financial, Parachute Publishing, Burberry, Asprey Jewelry, The Hunger Project, Macklowe Real Estate.
I'm an Akimbo Workshop Coach for Seth Godin and a certified Life + Career + Change Coach; working with all kinds of people around the globe: creatives - human resources professionals - executives - artists - musicians - gardeners - college deans and teachers - doctors - hotel owners - computer wizards - other coaches... helping them create the change they want in their work and lives; to do better, to be happier and even discover what they really want to do with their lives.
Please take a look at my Coaching website and see how I can be useful to you:
www.michaelfeeleylifecoach.com
My favorite quote is by poet Mary Oliver because it truly says what I want to know about you in such an unforgettable way:
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
I'm also proud to have my writings about real estate and coaching published at: Thrive Global - The Huffington Post - Maria Shriver - Michael Port - The Fordyce Letter - LinkedIn - Medium and others.
You can email me: Michael@sabaislandproperties.com
[We thank 'Chizzilala - Video Productions' -- for the photo of us in our car at the top of the - Meet Our Agents - page. Yes! It's from the 'Saba Dutch Caribbean HAPPY video'.] Click Here to View
