Maroon Day is observed in Suriname on October 10 every year. This public holiday celebrates the African refugees who escaped from slavery and established independent settlements known as Maroons. The term "maroon" originates from the Latin American Spanish word "cimarrón," meaning "fugitive." The holiday commemorates the signing of a treaty in 1760 between the Ndyuka tribe and the Dutch, which defined the territorial rights of the Maroons in Suriname's gold-rich inland. Maroon Day aims to combat stereotypes about the Maroons, who are often misperceived as arrogant paupers. Since becoming an official public holiday in 2011, Maroon Day has included various events and celebrations that honor the history and culture of the Maroon community.