The last great leader of this nation's indigenous people was Hyarima. He was a Nepuypo - a sub-tribe of the Carinepogoto (Carib) whose villages were established throughout northeast Trinidad.

Hyarima, it is said, could summon hundreds of warriors from the villages that then surrounded Arima of which he was the chief. He was feared and respected by the Spanish who were attempting to colonise Cairi which they renamed Trinidad and by the Dutch who wanted to settle in Tobago.

Hyarima joined the Dutch in 1665 to raid Spanish outposts in Trinidad and also those of the Orinoco in 1667. He was involved in the last successful revolt by this island's indigenous people. This took place in December 1699 against the Capuchin Missionaries of San Francisco de los Arenales and the then Governor Don Jose de Leon y Echales in Arena.