Which country marks Day of the Dead with giant kites on November 1?

Guatemala marks Day of the Dead with giant kites on November 1. In several Guatemalan communities, especially around cemeteries, families build and fly enormous, brightly colored kites as part of the observance.

The kites are traditionally understood as a way to communicate with, guide, or honor the spirits of the dead. Some may carry messages for deceased relatives. The practice is especially associated with Guatemalan celebrations, rather than being a defining custom of Peru, Bolivia, or Belize.

Guatemalan Day of the Dead observances also include visiting and decorating graves, lighting candles, bringing flowers and food, and sharing fiambre. The date is connected with All Saints’ Day, while November 2 is commonly associated with All Souls’ Day in Catholic traditions.

The giant-kite tradition is sometimes confused with Mexico’s more internationally recognized Day of the Dead imagery, such as marigolds, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto. Those customs overlap culturally, but the giant kites are a particularly notable Guatemalan feature.