As kite-flying returns after an absence of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local kite makers are hoping to cash in, and they have been spending time this Easter season perfecting their craft.

A variety of local and foreign-made kites are on the market, however, the local kite makers believe citizens should embrace tradition and support Made in Guyana with their kite purchases this year.

“We suppose to support locally made kites because it’s a work of art because you have to put a lot of energy, effort, and love into these kites to bring them to what they are. Once you want to get a nice kite you have to do it with love because if you don’t, like what you are doing you are not going to do it right.” Kite Maker, Maurice Prince told News Source.

He has been making kites over the past 30 years and plies his trade in the busy Regent Street area.  

Mr. Prince explained that the way kite making is done locally is a special tradition that the country needs to embrace and hold onto.

“Kite flying is a Guyanese tradition that goes way, way back. So you get to fly that kite and eat that nice little cook-up and the little souse, and whatsoever it is and playing that little cricket with the family and all of those things, People missed that because I never truly could remember anything that stop an Easter in Guyana” Mr. Prince added.

Another kite-maker, Floyd Glasgow said he too is happy with the return of kite flying this year.  He said his business took a hit over the past two years because of the COVID lockdown and he is hoping that with the country now reopened, customers will return to support the locally made kites.

“I’m promoting flying kites, we culture kites, we craft kites, we Guyanese culture kites; singing engine I promote that. Because you enjoy your fly and you are hearing the singing. No part of the world doesn’t make a singing engine only Guyana, we make a singing engine. Anywhere you go, you see kites yeah, but Guyana we got a singing engine.” Glasgow said.

The local kite makers said while they have seen many people going for the cheaper plastic kites from China, they would like to remind them that it is important to teach their children about the Guyanese culture of kite making and kite flying while supporting local.

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