Buxtonian Marvin Colt keeps the Guyanese tradition of kite making alive

Mar 31, 2024 News

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Over 35 years in business…

By Anasa Williams

Kaieteur News – Kite making is a Guyanese tradition. Almost every local household has childhood stories of assembling a homemade kite or ‘kaddy old punch.’ Marvin Colt is a Buxtonian who has been keeping the Guyanese tradition of kite making alive and has even transformed it into a lucrative business. Colt told The Waterfalls, this week that he has been making and selling kites since 1988.

With Over 35 years of experience under his belt, the kite-maker’s products are in constant demand particularly at Easter. The kite maker employs villagers to craft and assemble ‘thousands and thousands’ of kites to meet his customer needs.

This magazine paid the dedicated kite maker a visit on Saturday where he was found at his temporary work shed conveniently located on the Buxton Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), busy about his craft. Colt gave this publication a walk-through of what goes on behind-the- scenes before costumers can get their hands on the artfully designed finished products.

“Kite making is an art,” declared Colt as he explained that each of the six workers have designated tasks for them to reach their goal of 200 to 400 kites per day.  Some of the workers make frills, others drill holes and a few measure and cut the wood for the kite frames. The group starts the kite-making process late January and wraps up in time for Easter Monday to be able to meet the demands of his customers.

“We have to start early to meet the orders,” he stated. During the interview with this publication, Colt revealed he has been making kites on a large scale “From since 1988/89.”

“Basically kite is art so; I sit down some days and say alright good, we do some round the world kites. Normally kite is a star point, the box kite. So we invent some round the world, some double hassle (and) back some seven point stars. Some star kites, some diamond path on the box and so on.”

When it comes to materials to fuel such a large operation, Colt buys it in bulk and also ensures he has some left to go over into the next year, so he avoid getting into trouble.  He said the purchase of supplies begin early December and end mid-January.

However, Colt has not been running into supply shortages as his customers are also suppliers, bringing in the materials from Brazil and Trinidad.

With regard to design, the kite maker explained that some styles are a whole new situation from the normal kites. Colt said he realized that customers are willing to take the risk of stepping away from the ‘traditional box’ kited and try something new.

“Well it’s something strange and people ain’t accustomed to it, so people rushing after it ‘cause they never see round kite, as we say round the world they never see it and everybody give it a try and they said they feel comfortable with it and they can control it. It’s basically a fashion and a show kite,” he explained.

Even though the operation is a sizable one, Colt often finds himself having, “demand more than I can supply, I had to turn down some orders yesterday. We had [Guyana Shore Base Inc] GYSBI call us last night they need 1000 but if I give them 1000 I won’t have any to sell to my customers. The army needs as much as possible I tell them I can give them a percentage. Men on a Mission they ordered 106 but I deal with them ’cause they come in early. They come in time so I get to complete their order.”

Colt is aware that as time progresses modernization can step in and the demand for his kite may no longer be needed. He noted that there was a time the ‘bird kite’ took the market by storm. Surprisingly, this has not affected his business much. Instead it aided, he said it aided him since the bird kites seemed to fuel a surge in demand for his custom kites.

“Well I had complaints from about 50 customers concerning bird kites. When the wind is heavy the bird kite can’t fly, it can’t come off the ground. The only time bird kits fly is when the wind is still. So everybody said they buyin’ the old school Guyanese thing. Even if this kite gets a punch you could patch it. If the frame got a little fracture you could change it and it can still fly again.”

On the other hand the bird kites can’t be fixed and he even offers free repairs as long as the kite was purchased from his shop. When this publication asked him where he sees the business in the next few years, he said that this is something he gets to do once a year but the process is a lengthy one. At the end of the day, he said to be able to put a smile on children’s face, and allow them to enjoy the season is what matters most.

 

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• East Coast Demerara, Guyanese, GYSBI, kaddy old punch, Marvin Colt is a Buxtonian

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