the frame is affixed to a length of nylon string or lightweight wire, and a tail is constructed for fighting. the tail, usually a wide piece of ribbon or plastic sheeting, is covered with a homemade mixture of light bulb glass, iron filings, wax and egg white, which also covers the upper portion of the line.

thus armed, the kites take to the sky and the battles begin, with children of all ages trying to out maneuver one another for aerial dominance. there are many improvised toys in rio de janeiro that anyone would recognize from their own childhood.