Three more festivals of the dead

1 Barriletes Gigantes, Guatemala

There are festivals similar to Day of the Dead across South and Central America. In Guatemala, the Barriletes Gigantes is held on All Saints Day (1 November) and is marked by the making and flying of huge kites (some over 12m wide), which are flown over the graves of the dead. Locals also prepare a fiambre, a dish of salad and cold cuts that can include more than 50 ingredients.

2 Qingming, China

For early April’s Qingming Festival, known in English as Tomb-sweeping Day, Chinese people pay respects to their dearly departed by sweeping graves and making offerings, including joss sticks, joss paper and food ( pictured). On the day, which is based on Confucian teachings, people often eat

qingtuan green dumplings, filled with red or black bean paste.

3 Obon, Japan

Obon, or simply Bon, is a Japanese Buddhist festival honouring peoples’ ancestral spirits, held in mid-july or midAugust depending on the region. As well as grave visits and offerings, notable traditions include obon dances ( bon odori) and hanging red lanterns outside houses. At the end of the festival, floating lanterns are said to guide the spirits back to their world.