Afghan fighter kites
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Kiting is very populair in Afghanistan. "Gudiparan bazi" literally means playing with a flying-doll. It was a common hobby for many Afghans. The best kiter of the neigborhood really got respected. This sport is very cheap and is mostly played on the roofs. In summerdays, it there could be over 20 kites in air battling.
The kite:
The kites got different sizes. There are kites of 30cm and smaller but there are also kites of 120cm. The avarage is 95cm. The kites are made out of bamboo sticks which are cut very thin to reduce weight. The Afghans got many ways to make it very flexible and strong by a water-treatment.
The actual skin is made of thin paper.
The most important thing is the "Tar", which stands for wire. Your success is most dependent on this component. The kiting wire is made of very strong but light wire with a very fine crushed or grinded coat of "Shisha" on it. "Shisha" means glass fragments. This all to cut the other. But this also make angry scars in their own hands.
The was made by their own with some secret ingredients and color mixture, but presently the cutting tars are buyed from shops.
This is a picture of my own tar bought in Afghanistan.
Way of playing:
"Gudiparan bazi" needs at least two people. One who holds the "Charkha". This is a drum with a storage of cutting line.
The other "drives" the fighter kite. The kiters with the best teamwork, skills and materials will win the fight. Fights can take seconds up to an hour depending on the wind direction, materials and skills.
Basicly the one who releases the line on the right moment will win the fight. There are many tactics.
The one who cuts the other line may follow his "Gudiparan" and keep it.