Guatemala City, Nov. 1 (AGN). – The president Alejandro Giammattei He sent a special message this Tuesday for the commemoration of All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated every November 1.
Today in commemoration of All Saints’ Day we honor the memory of our loved ones who went ahead of us into eternitypoints to the message.
The president stressed that this is a custom in the country where Guatemalan families celebrate with typical dishes such as cold cuts.
Let’s enjoy in harmony with the family the traditional cold meat, the visit to the cemeteries or flying kites. God bless yousays the president.
Today in commemoration of #All Saints Day we honor the memory of our loved ones who went ahead of us into eternity. Let’s enjoy in harmony with the family the traditional cold meat, the visit to the cemeteries or flying kites. God bless you. pic.twitter.com/EBqrAsgDIE
– Alejandro Giammattei (@DrGiammattei) November 1, 2022
the commemoration
Guatemala celebrates All Saints’ Day on November 1, a date on which loved ones who have already departed for the afterlife are remembered with special devotion. People go to cemeteries with their families to decorate the tombs of the deceased with flowers and accompany them with prayers and a deep feeling of fervor.
History tells that when the conquerors arrived in American lands, they established the celebration on this date to honor Christians who led an exemplary life following the holiness of Jesus Christ.
As part of the story, the inhabitants of Sacatepéquez say that the evil souls that inhabited the cemetery used to torment the souls in pain and the residents, which is why the neighbors decided to look for spiritual guides who, through prayers, chased away the evil spirits. .
The Ministry of Culture and Sports supports and honors the ancestral practices of the Guatemalan culture. Every year efforts are made to conserve and keep alive the country’s traditions, as well as family life among Guatemalans.
The @mingobguatethrough the @PNCdeGuatemalaprovides security in more than 600 cemeteries nationwide, in compliance with Operational Plan 33-2022.https://t.co/kaKvMmgadJ
— Guatemalan Government (@GuatemalaGob) November 1, 2022
Spirituality from the ancestors
The tradition is celebrated in different ways in the country. In the municipalities of Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango Sacatepéquez the activity of the giant kites is carried out. There are several modalities, among which are exhibition and flight. These celebrations have the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, which helps keep them alive and promote the different forms of spirituality.
In the #All Saints Day We honor the memory of all loved ones who have already left but are still in our hearts. Today we remember them with our Guatemalan customs and traditions, full of colors and flavors. pic.twitter.com/o55bTenTTK
— Guatemalan Government (@GuatemalaGob) November 1, 2022
In the municipality of Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango, the Carrera de Ánimas ritual with horses is also performed. From 6 am on November 1, riders do a series of activities that culminate around 6 pm. In this activity, the participants prepare the day before with ceremonies to cleanse the spirit and the body and thus celebrate the Day of the Saints.
Food is also an important part on this day, cold cuts are the main dish. This is made with a mixture of vegetables, meats and sausages. Currently, different types of this dish are prepared: white, green and the traditional red. In addition, sweets are part of the gastronomy of this celebration, with nuégados, sweet squash, jocotes in honey and coconut preserves, among others.
Also read:
Sumpango dresses in colors with the traditional giant kites
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