Moruga’s historic rice 20210123 After the British lost the American War of Independence they brought Merikin African Warrior Tribes who fought alongside them to establish their new home in Moruga, Trinidad. And the Merikins brought something special with them; an ancient grain. When the Merikins arrived they met the Warao people that were already here. The Indian corn that was being cultivated by the Warao was mixed with the grain brought from West Africa by the Merikins and the Moruga Hill Rice was born.