The Art Of Afghan Kite-Making: A Cultural Legacy

Kite flying is a popular pastime in Afghanistan, especially during the winter when children are off school and the winds are strong. Afghan kites are made from light paper and bamboo sticks, making them very light and flexible. They are flown from rooftops, streets and sidewalks, and are used for leisure as well as for kite fighting. Kite fighting is a very serious competition in Afghanistan, where the objective is to slice the other flier's string with your own, causing their kite to fall from the sky. The kite strings are coated with a mixture of glue and finely crushed glass, turning them into blades.

Kites are made from light paper and bamboo sticks

Kites are a source of joy for children and adults alike in Afghanistan. The materials required to make these kites are easily accessible, such as light paper, string, glue, and bamboo sticks. The bamboo sticks, also known as spars, are essential for the structure and stability of the kite. Here is a detailed guide on how these components come together to create vibrant kites that dance in the Afghan sky.

Preparing the Bamboo Sticks

The first step is to select an appropriate bamboo tube, preferably about 50 cm long. Using a machete or a sharp knife, cut the bamboo tube into sticks of the desired length. It is important to smooth any rough edges on the sticks with sandpaper to ensure a comfortable grip and a sleek finish. The sticks will serve as the framework for the kite, providing stability and ease of maneuverability during flight.

Gathering the Materials

In addition to the bamboo sticks, gather light paper, a spool of string, glue, and scissors. The paper should be thin and flexible, allowing it to catch the wind effortlessly. The string, strong yet lightweight, will be used to tie the frame together and attach the paper. Glue will secure the paper to the frame, ensuring that it remains intact during flight. Scissors will be useful for cutting the paper to the appropriate size.

Tying the Kite Frame

Take two bamboo sticks and place them in a crisscross shape to form an "X." This arrangement will provide a stable base for the kite. Use the string to tightly tie the two bamboo pieces together at the intersection point, creating a secure joint. This step is crucial for the structural integrity of the kite, ensuring that it can withstand wind forces.

Gluing the Paper into the Frame

Cut the light paper into a square shape. Each side of the square should be equal in length to the bamboo pieces to ensure a precise fit. Apply glue to the bamboo frame and carefully attach the paper, creating a taut surface. This step requires precision and patience to avoid wrinkles or bubbles in the paper. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Creating a Kite Tail

Typically, a kite has one to three tails. The main tail is usually the longest and is attached to the center of the kite's body. To create the tail, cut a strip of paper or thin fabric, approximately 4 x 60 cm in size. Securely attach the tail to the center of the kite, allowing it to trail behind during flight. The tail helps stabilize the kite and adds a playful touch to its appearance.

Attaching the String to the Kite

On the spine of the kite, mark two points approximately 5 cm from each corner, at a distance of one-third of the kite's length. Use scissors or a sharp object to create small holes at these marked points. Securely attach the string to these holes, as this will be the main point of contact for flying the kite. Double-check that the string is securely fastened and can withstand the tension of flight.

Checking for Balance

Hold the kite by the string and check if it hangs level. This step is crucial to ensure that the kite does not tilt excessively to one side during flight. If adjustments are needed, carefully shift the attachment point of the string until a balanced position is achieved. A well-balanced kite will glide more smoothly through the air, responding effortlessly to the wind.

With these steps completed, your bamboo kite is now ready to take to the skies! On a breezy day, head to an open area and let your kite soar. Enjoy the sense of freedom and creativity that comes with flying a kite, a cherished pastime in Afghanistan.

Kite flying is a popular pastime in Afghanistan

Kites are made using light paper and bamboo sticks, with a string coated in a mixture of glue and finely crushed glass to make it sharp. The kites are diamond-shaped and vary in size, with an average wingspan of 3.5 to 5 feet.

Kite flying is often a two-person activity, with one person steering the kite and the other, called the "charkha gir," holding the wooden spool, or "charkha," around which the wire is wound.

Kite fighting, or "jang," is a popular aspect of kite flying in Afghanistan. The objective is to use your kite's wire to cut the wire of your opponent's kite, setting it free. Kite fighting is a serious competition, with participants needing a sharp string to cut their opponent's string. The loser's kite drifts free with the wind until it falls to the ground, and it is common for people to run after these kites to try to capture them.

Kite flying was banned during the Taliban regime but has since made a comeback, with Afghans taking up the pastime with enthusiasm.

Kite strings are coated with powdered glass to cut opponents' strings

Kite flying is a popular pastime in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Chile, Brazil, and many other places. In most cases, the fine string used to fly these kites is coated with powdered glass, and flyers attempt to cut the string of other kites. This practice is known as kite fighting or kite running.

To make the strings sharp enough to cut through other kite strings, kite fighters coat them with a mixture of rice glue and finely crushed glass. The sharp strings can easily slice through skin, and many kite fighters cut themselves with their own sharp wires. To avoid this, some kite fighters wrap a piece of leather around their index finger for protection.

The practice of kite fighting is dangerous and has resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. In Gujarat, India, at least six spectators were killed during an annual kite-flying festival when their throats were slit by out-of-control strings. In another incident, a two-year-old girl riding on a motorbike with her father was decapitated by a kite string coated with glass. In addition to humans, birds are also at risk from these sharp strings. In New Delhi, a pair of volunteer bird medics care for about 1,000 black kites each year, 90% of which are injured by the sharp kite strings, with half of the birds dying from their injuries.

Despite the dangers, kite flying and kite fighting remain popular in Afghanistan, especially during the winter when children are off school and the winds are strong. For Afghan boys and men, kite flying is a way of life and the "sole reason for kites...is to fight them". Kite fighting is more than just a game in Afghanistan, and it is taken very seriously.

Kite flying was banned under the Taliban regime

Kite flying was banned by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The Taliban deemed kite flying “un-Islamic”, and those who were caught flying kites were beaten and their kites destroyed. Kite flying was not the only pastime banned by the Taliban, bird-keeping was also outlawed. Kite flying is a popular pastime in Afghanistan, with the country's strong winds making it an ideal activity. Kite fighting, where kite flyers attempt to cut their opponent's line with their own, is a common sport in Afghanistan. Kite flying is also dangerous, with many people injuring themselves by falling from rooftops while chasing kites or losing concentration during kite fights.

Kite flying is a two-person affair

Kite flying in Afghanistan is a two-person affair. One person, the "charka gir", holds the wooden spool around which the wire, or "tar", is wound. The second person, called the "gudiparan baz", or kite flyer, controls the movement of the kite in the air.

The kite wire takes hours to prepare. First, a paste is made from ground glass, adhesive, and mashed rice. The wire is then coated with the paste, dried, and wound around the drum. The coated wire is sharp and designed for kite fighting. Kite fighters often cut themselves with the wire, so they wrap a piece of leather around their index finger to protect themselves.

The drum, or "charkha", is crucial during kite fighting. It must be lightweight and made of wood so that the kite fighter can release the wire quickly. In Afghanistan, kite flying is synonymous with kite fighting. The objective is to slice the other flier's string with your own, causing their kite to fall from the sky.

Kite flying is a popular pastime for Afghan boys and men, and it is often the only recreational escape in a country that lacks green spaces. Kite fighting is a very serious competition, and the sole reason for flying kites, Afghans will tell you, is to fight them.

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