Feedback on an authentic day, full of surprise!
Halloween and All Saints day are celebrated in different ways in most Latin American countries. However, Guatemala seems to have one of the most original festivities of the region.
Indeed, in the villages of Sumpango and Santiago de Sacatepéquez, near Antigua, November 1st, known as el Día de Todos Santos (All Saints day) is celebrated in a colourful way.
Origin of the festival
The tradition is born after a legend native of Sumpango, which narrates that every November 1st, some bad spirits come to Sumpango cemetery to haunt and disturb the resting souls there.
As the problem was recurrent, Sumpango inhabitants decided to ask the elders about this phenomenon.
Their solution was to force the bad spirits to go away thanks to the noise created by the wind touching pieces of paper. That’s how the inhabitants of these villages started to make barriletes, kites, that would create peace for the good spirits and avoid unwanted visits.
The making-process of the kites
During the five months preceding November 1st, groups are designing kites all nights long, from dawn to the first hours of the next day.
The group members specialized in barriletero art first define the message they want to convey; then transfer this idea on canvas and create on-scale drafts; finally proceed to the creation of the upscale kites.
These kites are a mix of art, tradition and colors, which convey messages of unity, love, faith, respect of traditions and Mother Nature.
The day of the festival
Every November 1st, groups are getting ready to unveil their pieces of art: giant kites. There are 2 categories of kites: the ones that can fly and the ones that are only exhibited.
Indeed, the biggest ones, from 15 to 17 meters high, cannot fly because of their size and weight, but that does not outshine the impressive design and creativity.
To display these giant kites, three different tethers and the help of many people is necessary.
During the festival, the flying kites must be raised the highest possible, as an entertainment for the people present and, according to the legend, to create the loudest wind sound possible.
Raising the kite is like raising the creators’ dream, and keeping it high up in the sky the longest is their main goal.
They believe that the kites act like a peace mensager that convey a message to their lost ones.
Declared cultural heritage in Guatemala
Since October 30th, 1998, this ancestral tradition is considered Cultural Heritage in Guatemala by the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture and Sports, and also received the Order of Cultural Heritage by the president Oscar Berger Perdomo.
Other traditions for All Saints’ day in Guatemala
Visit their deceased relatives in the cemetery
On All Saints’ day, the tradition is to go to the cemetery to visit their loved ones that passed away. People spend the day in the cemetery, flying kites to communicate with the dead ones, eating, dancing, singing between the thumbs. The latters are covered with flowers for the celebration.
All Saints day in Guatemala is definitely a different way of dealing with death, making it a happy and positive celebration.
Cooking and eating a traditional dish called Fiambre
As it is the case on different occasions, All Saints day in Guatemala also has its typical dish. It is called Fiambre, and is a mix of differents ingredients (vegetables, meat, cheese, etc.). It is amongst Guatemala’s most typical dishes.
Celebrate All Saints day by horse in Todos Santos
In the small village of Todos Santos Cuchumatanes, located at 2,000 meters above sea level in the mountain chain of Cuchumatanes, the festivities last 12 days and it is the most unique and original celebration for All Saints day!
On October 31st, inhabitants visit their dead ones in the village cemetery. The day is punctuated by ceremonies, prayers, rituals that combine Catholics and Mayan beliefs.
On November 1st, besides folkloric dance, mens wearing the traditional outfit challenge themselves in the most surprising and impressive horse race. Will win the one who will stay the longest on the saddle being completely drunk! This race called “la carrera de las animas” or the “souls’ race” happens on November 1st, in the morning. Riders navigate quickly through the village lanes. During the afternoon, participants gather in the village to dance as marimbas get performed, the national instrument of Guatemala.
