The Saga of the Companies

The Saga of the Companies is a very timely book. It deals with the history, sociology and economics of a community of Companies which, if not recorded, will not become history, but remain as legend. Many a son and daughter, descendants of the early Company settlers, have migrated and new elements have been introduced into these places. Today the Company districts are not what they were in the 1930s, 40s or even 50s.

As one walks the roads and traces one hardly hears the call to Co'n Millie or Ma Elsie, Tantan Fiffie or Compere Edgar that was common during one's boyhood except perhaps from the very senior folk. There is a greater sophistication all around as evidenced in mass media, improved standards of living and the mobility of the population.

This book is particularly strong in recounting the establishment of the Baptist Church, which is "native" to the Companies. It also highlights the customs and habits of regular churchgoers. It should be of interest to teachers and pupils, particularly at the upper primary and secondary levels, who should be stimulated to probe the history and sociology of their own districts.Students at Teachers Colleges may be interested to know that, within the first three years of the institution of the Emergency Training College (now Port of Spain Teachers College), such projects had become part of the Social Studies programme and valuable information had been unearthed touching as many villages, communities and institutions as there were student teachers. Unfortunately, the data that was stored is now lost.

The Saga of the Companies must therefore be regarded as a challenge to others to start similar projects, however seemingly uninviting.