the kite was brought to brazil by the portuguese colonists, and immediately became a popular activity. it is known in rio de janeiro as 'pipa' - the city itself is filled with many hills and rock formations but also consists of flat areas where kites can be released safely.

the styles and designs of kites nowadays are variant and many require a large amount of skill to maneuver - certain kites are considered to be adult models since they are difficult to control and keep a float.

a practice which originated in the ancient asian societies and still resonates with enthusiasts in brazil is the use of fighter kites.