Maroon Rice Genomic Diversity Reflects 350 Years of Colonial History

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Agricultural Science
• Genomics

Background:

• Maroons in Suriname and French Guiana are descendants of escaped enslaved Africans.
• Maroon farmers maintain a rich diversity of rice, their historical staple crop.
• Contrasting historical accounts exist regarding the origins of Maroon rice varieties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the genomic ancestry of Maroon rice varieties.
• To reconstruct the historical introduction of rice to the Guianas.
• To understand the origins and diversity of Maroon rice cultivation.

Main Methods:

• Genomic ancestry analysis of 136 newly sequenced Maroon rice varieties.
• Identification of seven distinct genomic groups.
• Interpretation of findings through ethnobotanical and archival research.

Main Results:

• Identified seven genomic groups of Maroon rice with geographical associations.
• Two rice groups trace ancestry to West Africa, likely linked to the transatlantic slave trade.
• Rice varieties also identified from Javanese indentured laborers, USA breeders, and Hmong refugees, alongside novel crossbred types.

Conclusions:

• Maroon farmers actively maintain high rice stock diversity, reflecting inherited ancestral expertise.
• Maroon rice heritage is largely overlooked by agricultural modernization efforts.
• Genomic data validates and enriches Maroon oral histories about their agricultural past.