Giant Kites Fly In Guatemala For Day Of The Dead Celebration

With giant kites soaring the skies, the Guatemalan community of Santiago Sacatepequez commemorated its traditional ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration on Monday.

Hand-made out of paper with striking designs, the 20-meter-kites took months to complete.

“We are proud of our town-and more than a tradition; we're our town's pride,” says kite artisan, Felix Ambrosio Batzin Barrios.

To believers, the worlds between the living and the dead mesh together during this special time and people acknowledge that as they tie hand-written messages for their loved ones to the tails of kites. These messages convey to the dead in heaven that their family and friends on earth miss them and they are also intended to help spirits on their journey down from heaven to earth.

The tradition of flying kites outside cemeteries in Guatemala goes back over a century.

Guatemalans believe the kites are led by winds and guided by spirits until four o'clock in the afternoon when they come down and families meet at home to wait for the arrival of the spirits.

Traditionally, the festival is held in the community cemetery, but due to Covid-19 restrictions this year, eight of these ‘giant kites’ were raised on the soccer field of the Municipal Stadium. Visitors were granted access for a limited amount of time.