Spectacular Kite Festival of Sumpango Guatemala

Spectacular Kite Festival of Sumpango Guatemala, there are your typical festivals and then there are festivals that are part of the fabric of a culture in which they are held. The latter description certainly applies to the spectacular Kite Festival of Sumpango Guatemala, which promises to be another incredibly diverse cultural experience.

The atmosphere is similar to that of a carnival or fair, add to that the beauty of an outdoor event in Guatemala, an array of food stands, kite flying competitions, plus the chance to discover a village transformed by gorgeous giant kites — what’s not to love?

Every November 1st the famous Maya fiesta called El Festival de Barriletes Gigantes de Sumpango (Giant Kite Festival in Sumpango, Guatemala) is held to celebrate Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead or All Saints Day (Día de Todos Los Santos).  This celebration is a mix of Catholic and Mayan religious traditions.

RELATED ARTICLE: Giant Kite Festival Tour Sumpango Guatemala

Taking place in the charming village of Sumpango Guatemala, this beautiful Kaqchikel Mayan village is used as a canvas for this family-friendly festival that has grown to become an exceptional and hugely popular celebration to honor members of the family who have passed away.  It is a labor of devotion and appreciation where families gather in cemeteries to decorate the gravesites of their loved ones with candles, flowers, fruit, and pine needles.   This day is truly a celebration of the beauty and mystery of life and death and provides families the opportunity to remember, honor, and reconnect with the spirits of their loved ones.

In fact, there’s so much to see and do, it’s hard to know where to begin, but let’s start with…the flying of the kites.

On this day, kites (called barriletes in Spanish) are flown over the village cemeteries and are believed to be a vehicle for speaking and connecting with the souls of departed loved ones. In the villages of Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez traditional giant kite festivals have been taking place for over 100 years.

The kites, as large as 20 meters, the size of a six-story building, are absolutely amazing! Every kite is hand-made crafted from colorful tissue paper, bamboo stalks, glue, and string.  They are spectacular to the eye and truly are one-of-a-kind works of art with intricate and detailed designs.

And then there is the food which plays a big part in this special day.

Guatemalans prepare a very special once-a-year meal that is called Fiambre. I love Fiambre and I look forward to this dish every year. Fiambre is a delicious and unique salad, served chilled, and averages 50 ingredient including cured meats, sausages, cold cuts, chicken, shrimp, pickled vegetables, pacaya flower, olives, beets, different cheeses, hard boiled eggs, and much more. Fiambre recipes are as unique as each family. No two Fiambre recipes are the same and most recipes have been passed down through the family for generations.

Other incredible food that you will find at the Kite Festival of Sumpango Guatemala is the following.

What a wonderful way to spend Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

If you’re in Guatemala for Halloween, the Giant Kite Festival Tour in Sumpango Guatemala on November 1st is a great way to experience a taste of Guatemalan culture.

For more information on The Spectacular Kite Festival of Sumpango Guatemala Tour or Lake Atitlan Tours visit Lake Atitlan Tours.

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