Bhawika
The Festival de Barriletas Gigantes, or Giant Kite Festival, is one of Guatemala's most vibrant festivals. On this day, residents of the region represent ancestral symbology and contemporary social issues through Kites.
The Guatemala Kite Festival is celebrated on 1st November every year, and this tradition of kites dates back 3,000 years.
– Giant Kites are made from bamboo, cloth patches, paper, glue, string, and woven stalks of “Castilla”. – It represents a variety of themes indicating contemporary social issues and ancestral symbology. – The festival also includes traditional foods, music, and indigenous ceremonies.
Local people visit the tombs of their ancestors to honour them and place floral offerings. After that, intricately crafted kites are flown to represent the connection between the living and the dead.
1. Kite Flying Activities 2. Festive Food 3. Cemeteries buzz with conversation and social activities 4. A unique salad called Fiambre