Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Festivities

Festivities

In the world of the Maya, many traditions are tied to astronomy. The Day of the Holy Cross on May 3rd, and the Day of the Dead on November 1st and 2nd, are connected with the position of the Sun, as observed from the Earth. May 3rd corresponds to the zenith passage of the Sun, when it can be observed directly overhead. Early November corresponds to the nadir passage of the Sun, when it is directly below us. This gallery shows images of these two important Maya traditions.

A man and several children construct crosses made of flowers and broad folded leaves
A man attaches pink flowers and broad folded leaves onto the frame of a cross
A yellow school bus is adorned at its front with a cross made of flowers and broad folded leaves
A man weaves evergreen boughs and marigolds into a wreath
A white tomb is adorned with marigolds, greenery, flowers, vases, and a large black cross
Large, colorful patterned kites as tall as trees stand at the edge of a field as people stand below. Some people are raising the kites aloft with long ropes
Outdoors in sunlight, several people hold a large circular kite with colorful patterns aloft.
People stand near towering handmade kites, which include panels of words, patterns and pictures.
Circular, colorful patterned kites as tall as trees stand at the edge of a field with people below.
A man and several children construct crosses made of flowers and broad folded leaves
A man attaches pink flowers and broad folded leaves onto the frame of a cross
A yellow school bus is adorned at its front with a cross made of flowers and broad folded leaves
A man weaves evergreen boughs and marigolds into a wreath
A white tomb is adorned with marigolds, greenery, flowers, vases, and a large black cross
Large, colorful patterned kites as tall as trees stand at the edge of a field as people stand below. Some people are raising the kites aloft with long ropes
Outdoors in sunlight, several people hold a large circular kite with colorful patterns aloft.
People stand near towering handmade kites, which include panels of words, patterns and pictures.
Circular, colorful patterned kites as tall as trees stand at the edge of a field with people below.

During the first days of May, the Sun passes directly overhead in Zunil, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. On May 3rd the Maya build traditional crosses.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

Early in the morning, Avelino Cruz Carrillo of Zunil walks far from town, into old growth forest, to gather materials he uses to build the crosses for his family.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

Crosses are used to decorate homes and many other places, including "camionetas," the local transportation buses.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

In the town of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, men make wreaths of pine fronds and flowers to decorate family tombs for Day of the Dead.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

At the cemetery, family tombs are decorated with pine needles and flowers. During Day of the Dead, the ritual silence is followed by music and the laughter of children flying kites.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

The town of Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, is world famous for their 100-year old Festival of Giant Kites.

Photo Credit: Luis Llovera Ramírez

Hundreds of kites of all sizes fly throughout the day. The people of Santiago write messages to their ancestors on the tails of the kites.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

Teams of local youth work for several months to build giant kites, with design themes that reflect current social and cultural issues. These huge kites are raised on posts at the cemetery, and are not flown.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic

By late afternoon, the cemetery is transformed by the presence of thousands of visitors who come to admire the enormous and colorful kites.

Photo Credit: Tepeu Roberto Poz Salanic