Manja (kite) facts for kids
Manja (pronounced mun-jah) is a special kind of string used for flying fighter kites. People in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal use it. In Brazil, it's called "cerol," and in Chile, it's known as "hilo curado." This string is covered with tiny bits of glass or other rough materials, making it sharp.
Kite flying is often a big part of festivals or special times of the year. When people fly fighter kites, they try to cut the strings of other kites using their manja. If a kite's string is cut, it floats away. People often run to catch these free-floating kites, a fun activity called kite running.
Contents
What Manja is Called
Manja has different names depending on where you are:
- manjha – This is the common name in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
- tar – Used in Afghanistan.
- hilo de competencia or hilo curado – These names are used in Chile.
- dore – Another name used in India and Pakistan.
- manjho – Heard in Rajasthan, India.
- gelasan – Used in Indonesia.
- cerol – The name for it in Brazil.
How Manja is Made
Traditional manja is made from strong cotton thread. This thread is coated with a sticky mix of rice glue and tree gums. Then, tiny bits of rough materials are added. These can be finely powdered glass, aluminum oxide, or zirconia alumina. Some people make their own manja using secret family recipes. But most manja is made by special craftspeople in large amounts.
There's also a newer type called "chemical manja" or "Chinese manja." This string is made from strong plastic-like materials. It's much harder to break than traditional manja. This can make the game unfair and also makes the string more dangerous for people and animals.
Safety and Risks of Manja
Flying fighter kites with manja can be lots of fun, but it also has some risks. It's important to be careful and aware of your surroundings.
Risks for Kite Flyers
Sometimes, people fly kites from rooftops. This can be dangerous if they are not careful. It's important to always be safe when flying kites, no matter where you are.
Risks for Kite Runners
Kite runners are people who chase after kites that have been cut down. They often look up at the kite and might not pay attention to where they are going. This can lead to them running into busy roads or train tracks. They might also try to climb trees or buildings to get a kite, which can be risky if they fall.
Risks for Bystanders
Manja can be very sharp. There have been reports of people, especially those riding motorcycles, getting cut by hanging manja strings. These kinds of accidents have led to calls for banning glass-coated kite string in many places. For example, in 2013, Chile made a law against using "hilo curado." Only professional kite flyers can use it in special, safe areas for competitions.
Risks for Birds
Manja is also very dangerous for birds. When kites land in trees, the strong strings can get tangled. Birds can get caught in these strings, leading to serious injuries. Many birds need to be rescued because of manja. In New Delhi, India, two volunteers help about 1,000 black kites every year. About 90% of these birds are hurt by manja, and half of them sadly do not survive. During festivals like Uttarayan, veterinarians often have to help many injured birds.
See also
In Spanish: Hilo curado para niños
