Manja (string)

Template:Short description 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

File:Maanja making.jpg

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.

A relatively recent introduction, China manja, is based on non biodegradable synthetic fibers.

Safety

Rooftop falling

People often fly the kites from rooftops, which poses risks to their safety.

Kite runners

In some places, kite runners pursue kites to retrieve them without paying attention to the surrounding, causing accidents.

Bystanders injury

Many reports of motorcyclists and others having their throats cut by manja - especially when driving through hanging strings.

Threat to birds

It is also responsible for injuries to birds. 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.

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

Ban

India

Several attempts were initiated by government and authorities but none seem to be successful.

Pakistan

It was banned in Lahore since 2006.