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KIDS UNITED
All Saints Day in Guatemala
All Saints Day is one of Guatemala's most important national holidays. It is also called Day of the Dead. With its basis in Catholic and Mayan traditions, this day is celebrated by visiting cemeteries and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Gravestones are cleaned and offerings of flowers and food are left for the spirits of the deceased. The Guatemalan people fly huge colorful kites with messages to the deceased and to God attached to the tails of the kites.
Maya and her friends and family will celebrate this day together. They will have a feast and serve a dish called fiambre. This is a traditionally plate that consist of chicken, meat and vegetables all mixed up. They will make kites with bright colors of the rainbow and Maya will make her own kite this year, adding ribbon and glitter.
Maya will run and watch her kite fly into the clouds, chasing the birds and hoping her kite will fly high up to reach the heavens.
Maya's mother will prepare her favorite dishes: black beans, rice, tamales (corn meal or rice dough stuffed with meat and tomato sauce) and fried bananas with honey for dessert. The family friends will bring meat (beef, pork, and chicken) stewed and served with sauces. Papayas and breadfruit will also be served at this celebration.
Everyone will celebrate and dance on this day. Maya will lead a group of her school friends to the national dance of Guatemala featuring foot-stamping techniques reminiscent of Spanish flamenco dancing.
Maya Papaya wants to wish everyone in the United States a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
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