Note: This blog is written to give you a glimpse into some Guatemala culture, especially of the indigenous Mayan people. This is what a Guatemalan child might say about November 1 or the Day of the Dead.

We asked some of the Guatemalans we know about their understanding of the practices of the Day of the Dead. Though they do many of these things described below, they didn’t provide these reasons as their ancestors might have. Instead they just said that is what we do. The tradition continues but the reasons and understanding of why they do them may or may not be known.

I’m tired. Yesterday was a busy and long day. For many of my people, the indigenous Mayans of Guatemala, November 1 or the Day of the Dead is an important day in our lives, the lives of our families, and the lives our ancestors. 

We woke up early yesterday morning to prepare the house for the visit from our ancestors. Every November 1,  there is a small, twenty-four hour period when our ancestors can come back and visit us. It’s a brief chance for us to welcome them. We are all so excited and want to welcome them to the best we have to offer. We want to make them proud.

My job was to make sure the flowers were correctly placed at the entrance to the house and the windows, while my dad and older siblings prepared the special altar in the house. We put the same flowers there, along with a special brandy that my dad makes sure to get, and my mom prepares the special bread, water, fruits, and atole (a local drink made of corn). Special care is taken to make sure everything looks its best. Once all the flowers and foods are in place, we add candles to the altar. All of this is to show our ancestors how much we respect them and welcome their visit.

After finishing in the house, we walk into town to the cemetery. Everyone is out making sure the tombs of their loved ones are freshly painted, adorned with flowers, and looking beautiful. There is so much color and activity. We sometimes eat a special meal there. While there we share the fond memories of those that have gone on before us. We surely hope our ancestors are pleased and accept our gifts.

In the afternoon, we fly the kites. Tourists from all around come to see the kites in Sumpango, but they miss the meaning of why we do this. It is not a competition to build the best kite or to fly their kite the best. The purpose of the kites is to provide an invitation for the spirits of our ancestors to fly with our spirits, to welcome them back for this special day. The kite is our connection with the dead. Our souls can soar together.  

Later in the day we may go around town asking for alms for our community’s patron saint. At the end of the day the priests may move their statues to the next home for the coming year. The cofrades or Mayan priest will hold a ceremony in which prayers are said and ceramics broken. This is the time the spirits that have been visiting us make their return to the underworld.

I hope our ancestors felt respected and honored with what we did for them yesterday. If not, it can mean a poor harvest for my father, disease upon our family or even death for one of us. I wish I knew.