Final Project

We used the wooden dowels to construct our kite. 

Our first goal was to build the frame of the kite with the wooden dowels and floss.  

Then we began to cover our kite with tissue paper. We decided on using bright colored tissue paper because it represents the lively Guatemalan culture. 

Since flowers are often depicted on the kites, we decided to make flowers out of tissue paper to incorporate onto our kite and provide a staple piece of Guatemalan culture. 

Traditionally, the Barrilete Gigantes have complex and intricate designs to accompany the bright colors. We added different design embellishments to make our kite more fun and attractive looking. 

Since this project is specific to Guatemala and this particular tradition, our group wanted to honor this by adding the Guatemalan coat of arms to our kite. 

Our group has worked quite well together throughout the course of this project. We made a lot of headway and accomplished a lot in a short period of time. We were all able to articulate our ideas on how we perceived the kite should look and everyone came to a mutual agreement on the final look of the kite. Not only did we get to work together and be creative on a fun project, but we learned a lot along the way of such a rich culture.

When

In Guatemala, the groups that work on building the kites usually start the process in September, which is the same as our group. The kites are usually shown on November 1^st, the Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos). The deadline for our project is October 28^th though. We have had ample time to complete everything necessary to make our kite special. 

Who

In Guatemala, teams are formed to work on constructing these giant kites that are to be flown. Typically there are six to eight people who work on the kite. Family and friends come together, usually in September, to begin the task of kite building. The groups show off their kites during the festivals and compete to see who has the best kite. Trophies are often given out and there are even competitions for children to participate in with smaller kites.

In our group there are four of us working on the project: Tessa, Zack, Clare and Anna. We have been collaborating and working quite efficiently together. We all have been providing the various materials needed to build our kite and have each been contributing our own creative aspects to make the kite unique. 

Where

The most prominent villages that participate in this festival in Guatemala are that of Santiago and Sumpango. The festivals are often held in large fields in order to accommodate all of the participants and enormous kites. There are also many other towns, cities, and countries that participate in this tradition. There are even festivals here in the US that participate.

As far as our group project goes, we did most of the work on the kite in the library and also in group members’ homes. The kites will be displayed in the library after their completion so guests of the library can learn of this Guatemalan tradition and see actual kites from each Spanish class. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXSWHhMH1QA

Instructions

Our guidelines and instructions for the project: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17wrLjtfMv8yVM6idZMFOY8KtB_ZUn0S7jA7M8ei7lW8/edit?hl=en_US

What

The Barrilete Gigante project is a group project for our Spanish 121 class where we are asked to research and learn about the Guatemalan culture, as well as construct our own group kite. Through our findings and class lectures we have learned of the time honored tradition of Barriletes Gigante. This custom began long ago with the Mayan Indians. These indigenous people believed that by constructing enormous kites to be flown, they would be able to communicate and pay respect to their departed loved ones.  This is certainly a time honored tradition that has been passed down from the generations and is still prominent today in many Spanish speaking countries with a main focus in Guatemala. There are festivals that take place where communities come together to show off their oversized, super colorful, creative kites and the surprising thing is that they indeed can fly!

The kites are detailed in color, patterns, adornments and sizes. Various materials are used to construct the kites. Our guidelines suggest the use of bamboo poles or wooden dowels to form the frame, which I’m assuming most people participating in this tradition use bamboo as well. It is said that the kite makers can compete with each other for trophies. Even children can participate in this time honored tradition which definitely makes this a family affair!

As we are split into groups, we are asked to construct our own Barrilete Gigante that will represent the Guatemalan culture. We are given specific guidelines that are to be followed to help us construct these kites. Our group has had the privilege to learn about this tradition and are getting the great opportunity to construct a kite of our own and learn more of the Guatemalan culture. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIgMqtqvu48