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GIANT KITE FAIR |
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Giant kite fair
Each year is celebrated, everywhere in Central America, the
Toussaint. In Sumpango, Guatemala, this day is marked by the
Feria de los barriletes gigantes (giant kite fair).
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History and
origins
According to the legend, many years ago and yearly, when it was
the Day of the Dead (November 1st), the cemetery of Sumpango was
invaded with bad spirits. They were disturbing the good spirits
resting in this place. So the good spirits were wandering
around, worried and nagged, in the calm streets and houses of
the village.
To remedy the situation, the inhabitants decided
to consult sorcerers. They got together and found out how to
force the retreat of the bad spirits. According to them, all
that had to be done was to ensure that wind hit pieces of paper
in order to make a sound that would scare the bad spirits and
leave the good ones rest in peace. |
Kite
fabrication
The fabrication of giant kites, 10 to 13 meters of diameter,
necessitates at least 35 people working 45 consecutive days at
it, at a matter of 6 hours a day. These pieces of art are
priceless, however the material and staff cost can total as much
as seven thousand dollars. For most people, this activity is a
hobby that occupies their evenings for months.
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These giant multicoloured kites are fabricated
with china paper. Their structure is of bamboo or of wood. The
artists first make the drawings on white paper. Then, they trace
them on coloured paper that they cut and paste to form the
kite’s sides. It’s once at the event site that the final
assembly is done. |
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ADVERTISEMENTS |
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