"It is said that every soul after death needs to find the way to go to Heaven. For this cases a giant kite can help to redeem their past life and clear the path to Heaven."
All Saint’s Day in Guatemala has several traditions. One of the most colorful one happends in Sumpango and Santiago, both in the department of Sacatepequez with their Gigant Kite Festival.
The giant kite festival of Sumpango is an activity that takes place every year on November 1st, All Saints Day. On this day the giant kites on display can exceed 20 meters in diameter, continuing a tradition of more than 300 years. Pictures after the jump.
Our journey begins in the road, heading to Sumpango, Sacatepequez.
If you notice, very far away, at the end of the road are the giant kites.
In this day, in Central America, the dead are honored by visits to the their gravesites, often with food, flowers and all family members.
The kites are painstakingly crafted from tissue paper and bamboo reeds incorporating colorful and elaborate designs. Judges are on hand at the festival to name the best entries in a variety of categories.
Kites under 20 feet in diameter are flown over the town cemetery later in the day and are believed to be a vehicle for speaking with the souls of departed loved ones. The flying kites are representative of the floating spirits of the dead. Larger kites are only for show and typically carry a message or theme.
Feeling hungry? Well I was at the moment.
2 comments
I am quite impressed by the size of those kites. Do they actually fly them or just for show?
@bluedrakon: The big ones are just for show (They are kite heavy). There are some smaller ones to fly them.
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