On the Southern side of the Buxton Public Road is a tent. Inside this small space is a hive of activities. Willing hands are moving with confidence and dexterity. Some are making frames, other are putting groves and nailing frames. There are the drillers, frills and tongue makers, pasters, designers and loop makers. The finished products are magnificent kites ready to play their part this Easter.
Marvin Cole’s Easter Collection had been in existence for many years. Marvin’s interest in kites stemmed from a traumatic childhood experience. A relative bought him a Chinese kite in 1986. Fate ensured that the kite never worked. This upset him briefly but then determination and ambition stepped in. The next year he began to create his own kites. He has been getting better and better every year.
By the first week in February every year, preparation begins with the help of a loyal and skillful team of youths. Paper is imported from Trinidad & Tobago. Wood, bamboo, twine and strings are bought. Then work moves into high gear.
All types of kites are created. Star Point, Star Point Diamond (From 6 – 96 Diamonds can be put on these kites). Hassa Back is a more technical kite that takes some skill to create. The number of diamonds this can accommodate ranges from 6 to 156.
There are the Seven Point Star, Seven Point Hassa Back, Box Kite, Bird Kite and Star kite. Each year more than 1000 Kites of various sizes are sold: 18”, 2’, 3’ 4’ & 5’. Sometimes orders are received for specific kites for competitions.
Marvin is also generous and gives complete kites plus $500 to many children who visit his workshop regularly. Where there are kites there are bound to be children so a substantial number of his kites are given away. He also makes special kites for a cricket team every year.
Orders come from all over Guyana. His kites have gone all across the country, the Caribbean and even on a few occasion to North America. Marvin disclosed that the largest kite he ever constructed was a massive six-foot kite. His smallest was a tiny one-inch kite. All his kites go airborne.
When I asked about Kaddy Old Punch there was no response. I realised that Old Kaddies are not made by modern Kite Makers. Sorry Kaddy my friend. I’ll just have to make my own. An exercise page, two pointers, some thread and a few strips of old cloth for a tail. Then it’s up, up and away. That is if it ever gets off the ground.

Neil Primus