Manja (string)

Manja (or manjha) (IPA: /maːŋdʒʱaː/) is an abrasive string used to fly fighter kites, mainly in South Asian countries. It is made when a cotton string is coated with powdered glass or a similar abrasive. In Chile it is called hilo curado (cured thread).

Composition

Manja strings

Traditionally, it is made on fine pure cotton thread coated with a mixture of rice glue, tree gums or similar natural ingredients and finely powdered glass, aluminum oxide or zirconia alumina for the abrasive.^[1]

A relatively recent introduction, China manja, is based on non biodegradable synthetic fibers.^[2]

Safety

Rooftop falling

People often fly the kites from rooftops, which poses risks to their safety.^[3]

Kite runners

In some places, kite runners pursue kites to retrieve them without paying attention to the surrounding, causing accidents.^[4][5]

Bystanders injury

Many reports of motorcyclists and others having their throats cut by manja - especially when driving through hanging strings.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

Threat to birds

It is also responsible for injuries to birds.^[12] A pair of volunteer bird medics in New Delhi care for about 1,000 black kites each year, 90% of which are injured by manja and half of which die.^[13]

At the Uttarayan festival, veterinarians had to repeatedly respond to situations where birds had been injured.^[14]

Ban

India

Several attempts were initiated by government and authorities but none seem to be successful.^[15]

Pakistan

It was banned in Lahore since 2006.^[16]