All Saints Day   

All Saints Day - November 1st - is an important day for the Mayan people, and a national holiday in Guatemala.

     During the previous days, people have been painting and decorating the graves of their loved ones. On the 1st of November, the graveyard is full from dawn to nightfall. People bring their food and picnic there, the children play, and the family accompany their departed loved ones this day.

    By tradition, it is the time of year when children (and others) make and fly kites. Some say that the soaring kites are reaching the souls of the departed. It is also a time of year when one can expect winds, and the harvest season has not started: so people have time to take part in this traditional activity.