Vuvuzela
A vuvuzela, sometimes called a 'lepatata' (its Setswana name) or a stadium horn, is an air horn, approximately one metre in length, commonly blown by fans at soccer matches in South Africa. The origin of the name is disputed; it may originate from the Zulu for "making noise", or from the "vuvu" sound it makes, or from township slang related to the word for "shower".[1]
Originally made out of tin, the vuvuzela became popular in South Africa in the 1990s, and in 2001 a local company, Masincedane Sport, began to mass-produce it in plastic.[1][2] They require some lip and lung strength to blow, and emit a monotonous noise something like a deep foghorn or an elephant.[3] The vuvuzela is a feature of matches between big South African soccer teams Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Chiefs supporters have yellow vuvuzelas while the Pirates have black-and-white vuvuzelas.
Vuvuzelas have been controversial and have sometimes been banned from stadiums.[4] Critics point out that the instrument is blown haphazardly and noisy which can be distracting when paying attention to the game.[5] BBC 3 commentator Lee Dixon during the Confederation's cup match between United States and Italy referred to the sounds as "quite irritating". Similarly, across the world complaints are being made against the sound, which some fans have described as sounding like a "swarm of flies" according to users and comments on Youtube, where vuvuzela videos have shown an increase in angry comments from fans.
On the other hand South African soccer fans argue that this instrument brings lively atmosphere to the stadium and it is has become part of South African football culture and a way of showing loyalty and dedication to your soccer team. Just as fans in other countries beat drums, blow trumpets and sing, South African soccer fans blow the vuvuzelas. [6]
Other issues around the vuvuzelas were raised by the world football governing body, FIFA, who wanted to ban the usage of vuvuzelas during the World Cup 2010 because of a concern that the instrument could be used as weapons by hooligans or by business to have an advertising presence in World Cup Stadiums.[7] However after the South African Football Association, SAFA, made a presentation that the vuvuzelas were essential for an authentic South African football experience, in July 2008 FIFA decided to drop the ban and vuvuzelas will be allowed at matches during Confederations Cup 2009 and World Cup 2010 in South Africa.[8]
Vuvuzelas are rooted in African history as people would blow on a kudu horn to call villagers to a meeting.[1] Adding to the appeal is the African folklore that "a baboon is killed by a lot of noise", so the last quarter of a game sees even more frantic blowing of vuvuzelas as supporters try to "kill off" their opponents.[9][10]
References
- ^ a b c "Vuvuzela: SA football's beautiful noise". SouthAfrica.info. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ "The Boogieblast Vuvuzela". Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ "V is for Vuvuzela". FIFA. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ^ Qwelane, Jon (2005-07-02). "'Ban the Vuvuzela'". News24. http://www.news24.com/News24/Columnists/Jon_Qwelane/0,,2-1630-1633_1658589,00.html
- ^ Makhaye, Chris (2008-07-13). "Blasts of joy as vuvuzelas unbanned". IOL http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2871&art_id=vn20080713120228203C272609
- ^ Makhaye, Chris (2008-07-13). "Blasts of joy as vuvuzelas unbanned". IOL http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2871&art_id=vn20080713120228203C272609
- ^ Fifa gives Vuvuzelas thumbs up 11/07/2008 http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/SWC_2010/0,,2-9-2188_2356051,00.html
- ^ Fifa gives Vuvuzelas thumbs up 11/07/2008 http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/SWC_2010/0,,2-9-2188_2356051,00.html At The Confederations Cup 2009 in South-Africa, FIFA officialy banned the vuvuzela from the stadiums.
- ^ "Vuvuzela here to stay". News24. 2004-05-23.
- ^ "Blow the vuvuzela if you're a fan". 2008-08-13.