Around the end of October it is common to see lots of kids flying kites around Guatemala. This is because on Dia de Todos Santos (All Saints Day), which is celebrated on November 1st, it is believed that one´s ancestors come down from the heavens and through the kites in the air it is possible to communicate with them. While most towns start selling small paper kites, the town of Sumpango goes quite a few steps further, building enormous bamboo frames with intricately decorated paper collages that pay tribute to those that have passed. The ones on the "smaller" side (measuring up to 30' in diameter) they actually attempt to fly, while the largest of these kites are on display for everyone to enjoy their beauty.
Although most of the kites are never able to make it in the air, often crashing into the crowd observing the spectacle (see video below), every once in a while they are able to get these enormous crafts to fly.
Click the play button below for a slideshow which can be viewed in fullscreen. If the slideshow does not show up on your screen, click here for direct link to the photo album.
Here are a few video clips from the day:
-Kite crashes with terrified screams coming from the crowd:
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