Guatemalan Feast
All Saints Day
Part # 3
All Saints Day
Part # 3
The Kites of Santiago Sacatepequez
Celebration Date, 1st and 2nd of November Currently, they have established two categories of kites. Those who fly, that reached up to six meters high and the display, which have reached up to 16 meters. Now there are awards and honors. This occurs after the Commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1992
Two months before the event the persons organize themselves into groups of 10 to 15 people. A committee organizes the activity and does a consensus about the kites, as well as the designs and materials to use. In the past, the topics were picked and not made for competition. The designs are drawn by experienced hands, especially young people who have maintained the tradition existing in the municipality.
Two months before the event the persons organize themselves into groups of 10 to 15 people. A committee organizes the activity and does a consensus about the kites, as well as the designs and materials to use. In the past, the topics were picked and not made for competition. The designs are drawn by experienced hands, especially young people who have maintained the tradition existing in the municipality.
The Feast
The expected day
On November 1st, the cemetery is filled with many persons that arrive to admire the creative art of the inhabitants as well as large numbers of tourists, judges and organizers. Accompanied by fireworks, colorful kites fill the sky with different motives. The greatest pose is the enormous and majestic prints that are memorable. The tradition continues, although it has evolved and acquired different characteristics.
The people prepare to visit their dead relatives. They decorate the graves, people arrive with food, the deceased`s favorite which they share along with the family. They do a prayer which expresses their affection to their loved ones. They cover the ground with flowers through which it shows the families art, it’s a colorful and tradici6n special time to commemorate those who have already left.
The bond with the other world
It is believed that the kites were brought to Guatemala through the Franciscan priests who discovered them during evangelization in Asia.
Several historians of the colonial squares refer to them as kites. Native adopters began to use them with tissue paper, cane and glue; they began to fly them with the help of the strong winds in November. The kites are an ideal medium for communicating with the dead. During these two days "they have permission" to return to visit the world of the living. So, the people gathered in the cemeteries fly kites dedicated to their loved ones. The tradition states that they cannot do flight tests, as these should only be flying on the special date to communicate the message. The oral tradition indicates that this colorful festival was initiated in the late nineteenth century.
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