Dia de los Muertos in Sumpango, Guatemala

On November 1, Guatemala celebrates Dia de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead".  It is often also called All Saints Day.  Regardless what you call it, the day is meant to remember and celebrate of loved ones no longer with us.  A great tradition in the area of Guatemala near Antigua is that several villages hold kite festivals on this day.  The thought is that by flying the kites, you are closer to your loved ones in heaven.  They make beautiful, intricate kites and put them on display before flying them.  I had the opportunity to go to Sumpango, Guatemala (about 20 minutes outside of Antigua) to watch the kites and check out the cemetary.  It was a really fascinating and colorful day!

We arrived as they were setting up some of the kites and you could still see the volcano in the background.  

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Cemetery

Making small flags

Final prep on one of the bigger kites

Raising one of the largest kites - this was probably 3-4 stories tall!

People said it takes 4-5 months to put these intricate kites together

Intense support structure

All made of paper with beautiful designs

The kids flew the smaller kites at the beginning of the festival.  It was fun to see them bounce around in the sky.

By the end of our time there, many, many more people and kites were around!  It was great fun just to watch all the festivities.