Day of the Dead Celebrations: Giant kites soar the sky in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala

Day of the Dead celebrations in Sumpango, Sacatepequez. For Mayan people in Guatemala, this is an annual tradition that brings families together to honor those who have passed away. Every November 1st, cemeteries fill with families carrying flowers to decorate the tombs of their loved ones, but also the well-known tradition of Barriletes gigantes, or giant kites, is a cultural event which dates back to the pre-columbian era. Colorful kites represented the union of the underworld of the deceased and the land of the living. According to legend, the specifics of the designs, weavings, and colors helped the living communicate with their ancestors and assisted them on their journey back to Earth to visit family without the interruption of evil spirits. The significant messages displayed on the kites vary from a desire to communicate with the dead, to peace, hope, and companionship for the living. Designs are influenced by current social movements sometimes calling an end to careless violence or government corruption. Two weeks before the day, local communities begin to put their kite together. The first day, the unmarried men of the village collect the bamboo that is used for the frame. Every part is a natural resource: the tails are made from woven cloth, the rope from the strong maguey plant, and even the glue is made from yucca flower, lemon peel, and water. On the day of the festival. The kites are transported to their respective sites and hoisted upwards by several people.

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