Tomorrow this soccer stadium will be packed full of people looking at the large kites on display. Today this young boy was flying his kite high and learning to gauge the wind gusts.
He was practicing for the kite races tomorrow. Buena suerte Spiderman!
The Sumpango cemetery was high up on a hill. Some families were eating lunch under shade trees near the graves of their ancestors. Children were running around chasing each other. Many coats of fresh paint were being applied to crypts. The place had a happy feeling: a sense that life does not end with death of the physical body.
Manuel hangin' with two jovencitos. They were giving us directions regarding how to get to certain places in town. Budding tour guides talking to the Master Tour Guide!!!
Adios, Sumpango! We're off to Santiago Sacatepequez.
We arrived in Santiago an hour later, ready to find some place to eat lunch. Walking up the hill toward the cemetery we ran into a parade.
There's so much to see in this photo. On the left are Maya shamans in red scarves. They will lead the parade. Just behind then to the right is the queen of the festival de barriletes grandes (large kites) with her attendants on either side. Behind her are more royalty from other areas of the country. To the far right is a relative leaning against a truck. Not only was this a community parade it was a family affair with school boys in the back blowing trumpets and horns to the beat of the drums.
Family and friends follow along side. It was over in ten minutes but very festive!
Manuel took us to a comedor for lunch where we had pork sausage, chicken, spare ribs, platanos and red beans for 50 quetzales each. It was delicious!
A comedor is a simple restaurant with plastic tables and chairs and a dirt floor. This young woman brought me a bar of hand soap in a small plastic bowl and after soaping up I held my hands over a bucket while she poured water from a tap in the wall over my hands. Nice service!
It was late afternoon when we walked into the Santiago cemetery. Families were gathering after work with small kites to fly in the mountain breeze. The kites are made of tissue paper attached to a secure backing.
This cemetery will display their gigantic kites against the south wall. The challenge of building the large kite frames is left to the youth or jovenes. First they cut a tree down and drag it up the street to the cemetery. There is a joven up on the tree attaching strong cords and ropes to support the kite frame. The youth below have dragged long bamboo poles to a designated spot and are lacing them together with rope to create a spiral pattern. Notice the burial mounds under the work area. These large kits are much to big and heavy to fly, but they are absolutely beautiful to see!
They even have their own banner: Mayan youth spirit
This photo shows the size of each kite. They are beautiful, especially when the wind catches and fills them out. Source: gettyimages 2007.
Marigolds or flores de muertos
Goodnight Grandfather, goodnight Grandmother, goodnight Grandpa, goodnight Grandma. Sleep well tonight while our spirits soar over your graves...
A sacred journey to sacred spaces where we could feel the love of our own ancestors.
Gracias, amigo Manuel!
WOW. How interesting. I LOVE the color. You are right. The sky. So lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, those kites are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love this post--all the colors, the kites--the people!
ReplyDelete