Kite fighters do everything they can to bring down the kites of their opponents — including using strings doused with wax, or sharp materials like glass or quartz, which turn kite lines into razors.
Once a string plummets from the sky, it becomes a hazard for pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and vehicles, with the potential to cause grievous injuries. In February, legislators began discussing a nationwide ban on the sharp kite lines — already outlawed in 15 states and over a dozen municipalities across Brazil in the last few years, in some cases as early as 2001. But content creators have fueled a black market where the kite lines remain readily available.