Anybody from the Caribbean would tell you that Easter in the Caribbean is synonymous with kite flying. Everybody had a kite. Boys, girls, babies, mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, grannies and grand dads. Kite flying was big and it was a free activity that brought the family together. But yesterday when I looked outside I could not see one kite. Where are the Caribbean kites?
Where are the Kites?
One factor that could resulted in a decrease in the number of kites is the area that I live in. I live in an area that is along the flight path of incoming airplanes. So for safety purposes, this area has been designated a “no kite flying area.” It’s a bit funny because I’ve lived in this area for most of my life and the airplanes have always taken this path to get to the airport. I’ve flown kites in the area for years and I can recall seeing hundreds of kites in the area.
Another factor that could have caused the disappearance of kites is the cost. Back in the day, you could get a kite for about $5-$10 BDS ($2.50-$5.00 USD). Now the prices are hovering around $30BDS ($15 USD), but they include the kite tail and the string. It’s not a bad deal considering inflation, but I can make a kite for a third of what they’re being sold at.
Caribbean Kites
The kites made in the Caribbean are not the “plastic” ones that are sold just about anywhere. Our kites are decorated with colourful tissue paper laid out in amazing designs. Caribbean kite-making, which, in my opinion is one of the best crafts, is an activity that I enjoyed. All you needed was the frame (which could be made from wood or sugar cane trash), some tissue paper, string and kite tail which was made from old cloths (sheets, clothes etc.)
I really do miss seeing them floating around in the sky and snaking back and forth and buzzing wildly. Whilst I do understand the reason for creating no kite flying zones, I’m still sad because it seems as though the Easter that I remember as a child is no more.