Giant Kites
The design of the popular Giant kites shown for the Dia de Todos los Santos in Santiago, Sacatepequez was started in July by all the different groups participating in this Guatemalan Tradition. In the making of these kites, people from different ages and social standings help. These kites have geometric designs forming figures and messages in the different colourful papers used so that the paper can be added to the structure made of bambu.
This year, the designs are focusing mostly in de Peace accord. 15 groups are ready to participate in this tradition. The giant kites vary in sizes up to 15 meters even if kites over 5 meters will not be able to fly because of their weight.
According to tradition, these giant kites are flown to scare the bad spirits so that the deceased people can enjoy the different altars placed in their tombs. It is also believed that the kites help communicate between the living and the death. It is also believed that this tradition started between 1890 and 1900. Most people participating in this tradition, do it to keep the tradition but also as a means to express the national reality and the situacion of the Indian People.
