Why are giant kites flown in cemeteries near Antigua Guatemala on All Saints’ Day?

The tradition of flying giant kites on All Saints’ Day (November 1) is primarily associated with the towns of Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango, located in the department of Sacatepéquez near Antigua Guatemala.12

These massive, intricately designed kites serve as symbolic bridges between the living and the dead. Many of the largest kites are displayed upright as messages to the spirits of the departed and are intended to keep evil spirits at bay. Smaller, eight-sided kites, known as barriletes, are launched into the sky to carry prayers and remembrances to the spirits.1

The construction of these kites is a deeply communal process that often involves entire neighborhoods, reflecting local identity and ancestral Kaqchikel Maya traditions. In recognition of its cultural significance, the technique used to create these giant kites was inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.1