Kites play roles more important than sports
Kite is believed to have originated in China. Initially, kites were used in the military as a communication tool. Different messages were communicated mainly via different coloured kites. Gradually, kites became a popular form of recreation as well as art. However today kites are mainly flown for recreation and art.
Uses Kites have been used for delivery of messages and for observation, and by using kite aerial photography in the military. Kites have been used for scientific purposes, such as precursors to aircraft, and were instru mental in the development of early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large man-lifting kites, as did the Wright brothers and Lawrence Hargrave.
Kites can be used for radio technical purposes, either by kites carrying antennas. However captive balloons may be more convenient for such experiments, because kite carried antennas require sometimes running when there is no wind, which may be not always possible with the heavy equipment and a ground conductor. Cultural significance Kite flying is very popular in the People’s Republic of China, Korea, Japan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and many other Asian countries. In all of these countries “kite fighting”, in which kite fighters try to snag each other’s kites or cut other kites down, is popular.
In Afghanistan this is known as Gudiparan Bazi. Some kite fighters pass their strings through a mixture of ground glass powder and glue. The resulting strings are very abrasive and can sever the competitor’s strings.
However, this practice is dangerous since the abrasive strings can also injure people. During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, kite flying was banned, among various other forms of recreation.
Kite Surfing In recent years, multi-line kite flying has developed into a sport, with competitions for precision flying and for the artistic inter pretation of music. Kite surfing has developed into a competitive sport with several professional world circuits.
Kite festivals Kite festivals are a popular form of entertain ment throughout the world. They include small local events, traditional festivals which have been held for hundreds of years and major international festivals which bring in kite flyers from overseas to display their unique art kites and demonstrate the latest technical kites.
The Indian festival of Makar Sankranti is devoted to kite flying in some states where it is a public holiday. This spring festival is celebrated every January 14 or 15, with millions of people flying kites all over northern India.
The cities of Ahmedabad and Jaipur are particularly notable for their kite fighting festivals.
In Indian cities kite flying is an important part of other celebrations, including Republic Day, Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami.
In Greece, flying kites is a tradition for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent.
In Pakistan, kite flying is a ritual for the spring festival known as Basant.
In Guyana, on Easter Weekend thousands turn out for mass kite flying. In the capital city of Georgetown the massive sea wall protecting the city from the Atlantic ocean is filled with throngs of families picnicking and flying kites of all shapes and colours. Many participate in kite flying competitions. Weifang (Shandong, China) promotes itself as the Kite Capital of the World. It hosts an annual International Kite Festival on the large salt flats south of the city. The world kite museum in Weifang is the largest kite museum in the world, the building has a display area of 8100 sq. mt There are several kite museums in Japan and others in England, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. Japan — The master kitemakers Japan’s kites are among the most spectacular in the world, treasured as much for the aesthetic worth as for the pleasure they give as toys.
The traditional kite consists of a light bamboo or wood frame over which is affixed paper painted with various bold motifs, ranging from faces of legendary war heroes to brilliant geometric patterns; in the hands of a skilled craftsman, the Japanese kite becomes a work of art.
Japanese kites possess a history of association with folk religion and figure in a number of famous military adventures.
Uses Kites have been used for delivery of messages and for observation, and by using kite aerial photography in the military. Kites have been used for scientific purposes, such as precursors to aircraft, and were instru mental in the development of early flying craft. Alexander Graham Bell experimented with very large man-lifting kites, as did the Wright brothers and Lawrence Hargrave.
Kites can be used for radio technical purposes, either by kites carrying antennas. However captive balloons may be more convenient for such experiments, because kite carried antennas require sometimes running when there is no wind, which may be not always possible with the heavy equipment and a ground conductor. Cultural significance Kite flying is very popular in the People’s Republic of China, Korea, Japan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and many other Asian countries. In all of these countries “kite fighting”, in which kite fighters try to snag each other’s kites or cut other kites down, is popular.
In Afghanistan this is known as Gudiparan Bazi. Some kite fighters pass their strings through a mixture of ground glass powder and glue. The resulting strings are very abrasive and can sever the competitor’s strings.
However, this practice is dangerous since the abrasive strings can also injure people. During the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, kite flying was banned, among various other forms of recreation.
Kite Surfing In recent years, multi-line kite flying has developed into a sport, with competitions for precision flying and for the artistic inter pretation of music. Kite surfing has developed into a competitive sport with several professional world circuits.
Kite festivals Kite festivals are a popular form of entertain ment throughout the world. They include small local events, traditional festivals which have been held for hundreds of years and major international festivals which bring in kite flyers from overseas to display their unique art kites and demonstrate the latest technical kites.
The Indian festival of Makar Sankranti is devoted to kite flying in some states where it is a public holiday. This spring festival is celebrated every January 14 or 15, with millions of people flying kites all over northern India.
The cities of Ahmedabad and Jaipur are particularly notable for their kite fighting festivals.
In Indian cities kite flying is an important part of other celebrations, including Republic Day, Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami.
In Greece, flying kites is a tradition for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent.
In Pakistan, kite flying is a ritual for the spring festival known as Basant.
In Guyana, on Easter Weekend thousands turn out for mass kite flying. In the capital city of Georgetown the massive sea wall protecting the city from the Atlantic ocean is filled with throngs of families picnicking and flying kites of all shapes and colours. Many participate in kite flying competitions. Weifang (Shandong, China) promotes itself as the Kite Capital of the World. It hosts an annual International Kite Festival on the large salt flats south of the city. The world kite museum in Weifang is the largest kite museum in the world, the building has a display area of 8100 sq. mt There are several kite museums in Japan and others in England, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. Japan — The master kitemakers Japan’s kites are among the most spectacular in the world, treasured as much for the aesthetic worth as for the pleasure they give as toys.
The traditional kite consists of a light bamboo or wood frame over which is affixed paper painted with various bold motifs, ranging from faces of legendary war heroes to brilliant geometric patterns; in the hands of a skilled craftsman, the Japanese kite becomes a work of art.
Japanese kites possess a history of association with folk religion and figure in a number of famous military adventures.
Comments