What is Kite Running?

Andrew Bertrand
Professor Allen
ENC1101 15
November, 2007

What is Kite Running?

When you think of sports in this day and age what comes to mind? It may be the hard hitting excitement of football or maybe even baseball, America’s sport. Whatever your sport may be I’m confident to say that it isn’t kite running. Kite running is the sport of the Middle East and has become a part of tradition in Afghanistan. Kite running usually takes place in the winter time because of the strong winds and school is out due to the cold weather (www.kitelife.com). Kite running has been a shot of life into the souls of the Afghan people for hundreds of years. “Kite flying is more than a pastime in Afghanistan -- it is a national obsession” (www.kitelife.org). The basics of kite running are rather simple but to master the skills of kite running could take a life time.
The kites range in size from about 10-12 inches to the size of a human (www.afghana.com). The kites are brightly colored and wear designs that show pride in with in the Afghan society. The string is made up mainly of broken and grinded glass particles. The particles are then combined with a thick adhesive or paste to make the structure of the string or better known in the Afghan world as “tar” (www.afghana.com). To ensure that your string is in tip top shape it is the carefully laid out to dry and harden. Once dry you would wrap the string around a drum or “charkha” where is stored for use.
The main drive for the entertainment of kite running is the fight. The way a fight must begin is with two kites flying parallel with each other. Then once the two become intertwined the fight begins. The reason for the glass and paste is to have the ability to cut your opponent’s string before he cuts yours. “The fight would last from a split second to up to 1/2 hour, depending on wind, the difference in quality of tar between the two parties and other undetermined factors” (www.afghana.com). The winner of the fight usually wins due to have more experience and patience. This hobby of many has blessed a Country of war and violence with a small shed of light. Every winter the people of Afghanistan gather against all odds to cherish a piece of their culture and wipe away the tears of war.

“Kite Culture, How kites are helping to rebuild Afghanistan”. Kite Life. <http://www.kitelife.com/archives/issue29/afghankites2003/>. Sahar, David. “The Art of Gudiparan bazi” Afghana. 15 Jan. 2001. Afghan Kite Discussion Forum. <http://www.afghana.com/Entertainment/Gudiparanbazi.htm>