Fighting Kites

Fighting kites are specialized kites designed for competitive aerial combat where participants attempt to cut the strings of opponents' kites using abrasive-coated flying lines. Fighter kites are special kites used for a fun sport called kite fighting. These kites are usually small and flat. They are controlled by a single line. Part of this line is often called manja. Manja is a strong string, often coated with crushed glass. This helps to cut the lines of other kites during a fight.[10]

Historical Origins

The origins of kite fighting are shrouded in mystery, but most historians trace it back to Asia, specifically China, Korea, and Japan.[8] One ancient design, the fighter kite, became popular throughout Asia. Most variations, including the of India and Japan, are small, flat, roughly diamond-shaped kites made of paper, with a tapered bamboo spine and a balanced bow. Flown without tails that would hinder their agility, these highly maneuverable flat kites have a length of cutting line coated with an abrasive attached to the bridle.[3]

From India to Afghanistan, Chile to Brazil, people have been flying fighting kites all over the world for centuries.[1] Ancient Origins: Kites were initially invented for practical purposes such as military signaling, measuring distances, and even lifting humans. Evidence suggests kite-like objects existed in China as early as the 5th century BC. The Rise of Competitive Kite Flying: Over time, kite flying evolved into a form of entertainment and competition.[8]

Traditional Construction and Materials

Most traditional fighter or fighting kites are manufactured using a lightweight, thin, tissue paper for the body and a lightweight, flexible wood like bamboo for spine and bow.[1] Most traditional fighter kites are made from lightweight, thin paper. Their frames are usually built with light and flexible wood, like bamboo.[10] Fighter kites are made with a light weight and thin paper. The spars are made with a flexible and lightweight wood usually from bamboo plant.[2]

Modern fighter kites use advanced materials. Modern fighter kites, especially in America, use different materials. Their skins might be made from synthetic materials like mylar or nylon. The main stick (spine) can still be bamboo. But often, parts are made from fiberglass or carbon fiber.[10] In modern American fighting, synthetic materials are used for making kites such as nylon and polyester sheeting.[2]

Abrasive Lines and Cutting Strings

The defining characteristic of fighting kites is their specialized cutting string. Depending on the country, the line may be called manjha, tar, cerol, dore or gelasan.[1] Manja is the kite-line made of cotton or nylon string that is coated with fine glass powder using glue and other chemicals as adhesives. Manja is used to cut down opponent's kite-string in a kite fighting game.[13]

To increase the likelihood of success, flyers in may countries coat their lines with glue and crushed glass. Some even use metal blades![1] For many Asian fighter kites, the line is made of thin cotton or hemp. This line is then coated with a mix of finely crushed glass and rice glue. This makes the line very sharp.[10]

The manufacturing process involves careful coating techniques. The cotton thread is strung in eight or ten strands between two poles and the manjha maker walks up and down the length with the paste in his hands, finely coating the threads at each pass until the desired effect is achieved. The thinner, or 6 ply thread manjha, is generally preferred for its suppleness over the thicker 10 ply which might be used in stronger winds.[18]

Traditional Competition Rules and Gameplay

Although the rules of kite fighting varied from country to country, the basic combat was to maneuver the swift kite in such a way as to cut the opponent's flying line.[3] The main aim of kite fighting is to cut opponent's line. It can be played between one to many opponents. The one who is able to have his kite in the air when all else are not due to their lines being cut wins.[2]

There are two main ways to cut a line with an abrasive string: Release cutting: Once the lines touch, both players let out their lines until one is cut. Pull cutting: The flyer quickly pulls their line in.[10] Winning depends on many things. These include the flyer's skill, the kite's size, speed, and strength.[10]

Regional Variations

Asian Traditions

Kite fighting is popular in Asian countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Korea and Afghanistan.[2] Kite Fighting in India (Patangbazi): The practice of patangbazi (kite fighting) is particularly prominent in India, often associated with Makar Sankranti, a festival celebrating the winter solstice. This is the most known and popular iteration of kite fighting in the world.[8]

Uttarayan is the festival of kites, celebrated in early January throughout India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This festival is known by various names depending on the region to celebrate arrival of spring after winter. Makar Sankranti on January 14th, Republic day on January 26th and Independence Day on August 15th each year are the biggest kite festival days in India.[13]

North American Adaptations

However, a uniquely American kite-fighting scene has developed since the late 1990s.[4] in these fighter kite games the opponent's kite is not a target for destruction and the opponent's flying line is not a target to be cut as is the case in almost all other fighter kite flying areas of the world. north american fighter kite competitions only permit the use of non-cutting flying line.[23]

In line-touch kite fighting, two competitors stand in two circles on the ground. When the call "bottom" or "top" is made, each flier attempts to touch his or her flying line with the other person's line. In that case, the owner of the top line during the next touching of lines wins a point. The aim, of course, is to gain more points than your opponent.[4]

the two most popular fighter kite games in north america are 'line-touch' and 'precision or skills'. in line-touch competition two flyers compete one-on-one for points earned from touching their opponent's flying line with their own. in precision or skills games, the flyers are individually timed while flying specific challenges or tasks with their kites; shortest time wins.[23]

Modern Competition Structure

AKA competitions have generally focused on line-contact contests. However, to encourage diversity and promote safety, we have added sections for precision, ballet, and freestyle. We have also allowed for a division of competitors into Novice and Experienced classes.[22]

Field Boundaries: A field of 300 by 300 feet is recommended. Marked boundaries are recommended but not required. Pilot Flying Area: Pilots compete from within two "Flier Zones" located at the up-wind end of the field. Zones are twelve feet across and may be either square or round. The Flier Zones will be separated by ten feet and clearly marked off with cones, rope or some other defined boundary.[22]

Kite fighters in the United States use many new and creative kites. They use different designs and materials for "line touch" and skill competitions. You can see fighter kites flying at many kite festivals across the country. A big championship competition happens every year at the American Kitefliers Association convention.[10]

Safety Concerns and Controversies

The use of glass-coated strings poses significant safety risks. Every year many innocent lives are claimed and many more suffer severe life threatening injuries in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh due to accidental injuries glass-coated kite-lines (manja) that are sharp, cutting effect.[13] Dozens of people get killed and thousands get injured every year in India, after being struck by this string.[14]

Injuries by manja are commonly sustained by kite-flyers, riders of two wheelers and pedestrians. Sometimes, people near kite-flyers are injured. Hand is the commonest site of injury to a kite-flyer.[13] Kites are associated with various types of injuries, including accidents that occur during the preparation of the threads, electrical injuries from high tension currents, falls that occur during the game, or injuries caused to bystanders during kite flying, especially those riding motorcycles or bicycles. In Brazil, the use of motorcycles has significantly increased in the last few years, and riders are especially vulnerable to injuries caused by manja.[15]

Wildlife Impact

Manja maims and kills thousands of pigeons, crows, owls, endangered vultures, and other birds each year. The strings cut birds and become tangled in trees or on buildings, where they then trap and injure animals. A bird rescuer in Ahmedabad estimates that manja wounds 2,000 birds every year during the city's Uttarayan festival and that 500 of them die from their injuries.[20]

Muthupandian Palanisamy, a Chennai-based animal welfare activist, say it is possible that manjha kills or injures thousands of birds annually. "When they fly into the Chinese manjha, [the] kite strings, they cause deep gashes to their wings, necks and legs. Often, they fall on the ground with their injuries and become immobile," Palanisamy told VOA. "Rarely [does] a bird happen to receive emergency treatment for its injuries, and in many cases, they die eventually.[14]

Legal Restrictions and Bans

Manjha has been banned in India since 2017, and anyone caught selling or using the killer string faces fines of up to 100,000 rupees ($1,230) and jail terms of up to five years. Beyond police raids targeting manjha sellers, the ban is rarely enforced. Despite the stiff penalties, usage remains widespread, especially by young people during kite-flying season and festivals.[14]

The Government of Delhi has banned all forms of manja, including cotton threads coated with glass, also known as "bareilly ka manja". Kite-flying is permitted there only using plain cotton threads which are free of any sharp coating.[20] It is controversial due to significant safety risks, including severe cuts to users and bystanders, and environmental concerns, leading to bans in many regions globally. The social and legal implications of its use have led to widespread prohibitions, especially in India, due to documented cases of severe injuries and fatalities.[11]

Cultural Significance

Despite safety concerns, fighting kites maintain deep cultural importance. People all over the world love the energy and fun that comes with kite fighting.[1] It is a very important sport in many countries, practiced mainly in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, and Brazil's favelas. Here the kite is experienced by all, young and old, as a sense of freedom, a healthy escape, and a moment in which there is equity—where anyone with a few cents can create with their hands their own kite, fight, and (possibly) win.[25]

The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a celebrated Afghan kite fighter as he ages through the tumultuous events that have now changed Afghanistan forever. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years, and later adapted into a film, graphic novel and stage play. The Kite Runner was instrumental in introducing more people to the amazing sport of kite fighting.[1]