Cultural Context

 Kite running is the practice of running after drifting kites in the sky that have been cut loose in kite fighting. Whoever had the last fallen kite wins the tournament. Kite fighting has been a common sport in Afghanistan for almost 100 years. It was then made into a tournament in districts all oversees. Just as sports such as football and basketball are popular sports in America, kite fighting is a popular sport oversees. Many people have made this into an art idea and has become addicting to young afghans even around war time.

     As in the Kite runner, every winter the kite-fighting tournament was one of the highlights of districts in Kabul in which every young boy wanted to be apart of. This allows you to understand why Amir believed getting the kite was the way to Baba's heart, and why it was such a prized possession.   

Info- http://www.afghanistan-culture.com/kite-flying-in-afghanistan.html