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  7. Barriletes Gigantes For The Dead A Travel Photo Essay

Barriletes Gigantes For the Dead (a travel photo essay)

by Mesa Schumacher

Guatemala

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Barriletes gigantes (giant kites) rise up in the shadow of volcanoes as locals and children from surrounding towns gather to celebrate the departed on All Saints Day in Sumpongo Guatemala.
Barriletes gigantes (giant kites) rise up in the shadow of volcanoes as locals and children from surrounding towns gather to celebrate the departed on All Saints Day in Sumpongo Guatemala.
On All Saints Day, families and bring picnics to the cemetery to feast near the graves of the dead, and clean their tombs and erect colorful alters. All Saints Day is a time of memory and celebration. A father and son work together to repaint their ancestor's tombstone.
On All Saints Day, families and bring picnics to the cemetery to feast near the graves of the dead, and clean their tombs and erect colorful alters. All Saints Day is a time of memory and celebration. A father and son work together to repaint their ancestor's tombstone.
Kites at Sumpango come in all sizes but only the smaller kites are flow. Still, a two-meter kite is can be dangerous, with many crashing into the crowd below before they can reach soaring height. Two competitors wait for the right wind to for their best chance of a good flight.
Kites at Sumpango come in all sizes but only the smaller kites are flow. Still, a two-meter kite is can be dangerous, with many crashing into the crowd below before they can reach soaring height. Two competitors wait for the right wind to for their best chance of a good flight.
A young competitor rushes to return his fallen kite to the starting line for a second launch attempt. The construction and flight of colorful kites has been in practice thousands of years, and was believed to be a way to communicate with the dead. Today the flights also serve as a spirited competition for the areas' youth.
A young competitor rushes to return his fallen kite to the starting line for a second launch attempt. The construction and flight of colorful kites has been in practice thousands of years, and was believed to be a way to communicate with the dead. Today the flights also serve as a spirited competition for the areas' youth.
Kites are so large, they require teams of four or more children to break into the sky. A young boy looks back to make sure his teammates are ready to run before giving the signal to launch.
Kites are so large, they require teams of four or more children to break into the sky. A young boy looks back to make sure his teammates are ready to run before giving the signal to launch.

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