Guatemala Events and Festivals

11/01/2009 - 11/03/2009Day of the Dead Festivities

The Day of the Dead spins out to a three-day binge in this small highland town. Day one features horse racing, in which the winner is the one who stays on longest. Riders charge from one end of the course to the other, capes billowing behind them, to take a tot of liquor before charging back again. This mad, chaotic, heavy-drinking scramble goes on for hours. Next day, the Day of the Dead, people hold graveside vigils; sweets in the shape of skeletons are distributed to children and families gather in the cemetery to mourn lost loved ones and to feast. Marimba bands and drink stalls set up among the gravestones and strike a festive note. The final days see those who have survived the proceeding excesses continuing along roughly similar lines of exhibitionism in colourful, traditional costume, dancing and alcohol-fuelled shenanigans.