Unlike many, I’m rather fond of the vuvuzela; the ubiquitous plastic noisemaker most common at your more important international soccer matches. Reason? It reminds me of that dramatic moment in Horton Hears a Who in which the citizens of Who-ville trumpet their existence to the larger world above (see illustration following the jump). But it’s come to my attention that a lot of you don’t share my enthusiasm for the vuvuzela (Note: please do not use as beer bong). Many soccer teams, in fact, see it as an unfair advantage for their opponent, claiming that the unholy din produced by the horns makes it impossible for coaches to communicate with their players.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter is loathe to ban the horns, because he’s a Dr. Seuss fan, obviously. But Cup authorities are conducting sound tests today at the South Africa-Colombia friendly to determine if the horns might pose a security risk during the World Cup. From Reuters:
Foreign fans and players complained about the noise of the plastic trumpets, which sound like a herd of charging elephants, during last year’s Confederations Cup — a dress rehearsal for the soccer spectacular which starts on June 11.
But FIFA President Sepp Blatter said they were as characteristic of South African football as bongo drums or singing in other countries and would not be banned.
Asked about the vuvuzelas again Thursday, chief local organizer Danny Jordaan said the noise levels would be checked when South Africa play Colombia in a friendly World Cup warm up Thursday night at the 90,000-capacity Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, when noise levels are likely to reach their peak.
For South Africans, in fact, the vuvuzela is an instrument of national pride. From FIFA.com:
“Without the vuvuzela, I don’t think I would be able to enjoy football,” said Sadaam Maake, one of South African football’s celebrity followers. “It brings a special feeling to the stadiums. It is something that makes the fans want to get behind their team.”
The vuvuzela was originally made from a kudu horn. Folklore has it that, in the ancient days, it was used to summon people to gatherings. Over the last 15 years, the sight and sound of the instrument being blown at games has evolved into an emblem of hope and unity for many South Africans.
“When we started the vuvuzela, there was so much sadness in our country in those years and it brought so much joy,” explained Mzion Mofokeng, another iconic football enthusiast. “All of a sudden people would go to the stadiums because of this instrument that was able to get fans on their feet and start cheering. For few hours, they would forget about the reality in our society and enjoy the sound.
There you have it: Vuvuzela = world peace. Also, ear plug vendors at World Cup = rich.
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World Cup’s Most Heinous, Ear-Splittingly Horrifying Threat Has Emerged [Sportress of Blogitude]
Robson trumpets home advantage of vuvuzela at World Cup [Reuters]
Vuvuzela: a symbol of South Africa [FIFA.com]
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- Jim - May 28, 2010 at 4:56 AM
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“Unlike many, I’m rather fond of the vuvuzela; the ubiquitous plastic noisemaker most common at your more important international soccer matches.” Have the only matches you’ve seen been the confederations cup? The vuvzela is not common anywhere but South Africa, the MLS and Mexican leagues have a minimal amount of them but this is purely an idiotic South African thing. Maybe watch more matches son. I’ve been watching football religiously since the Maradona Napoli days in the mid 80′s and last year was the first time I knew that a bunch of idiots would continuously blow a stupid horn for 90 mins.
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- Rick Chandler - May 28, 2010 at 5:00 AM
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You’re right, I’m no soccer expert. Should watch it more. If for no other reason, for when they set stuff on fire.
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- Steve - May 28, 2010 at 7:41 AM
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Jim, way to be respectful of other cultures, regardless of your incredible TV watching resume. They probably think that “a bunch of idiots” bellying up to a tube of animal by-product shoved into an intestine and slathered with ketchup while sitting outside an American football stadium is “idiotic”.
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- ttj - Jun 8, 2010 at 8:54 AM
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How can we not love the vuvuzela? It reflects perfectly the general obnoxiousness of world soccer fandom. I hope it drives them all nuts. I plan to have one at hand to blow loudly as I swill beer and cheer for my favorite team, or whoever else is playing during the World Cup matches. Where I currently reside there will not be much other choice. Long live the vuvuzela!
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- Anonymous - Jun 22, 2010 at 6:18 PM
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That is a hilarious Dr. Seuss style picture. You could make a Dr. Seuss story about The Cat with the Vuvuzela. A sporting team is losing real bad when the title cat comes along with the horn. As time goes by, the cat reveals “A”, “B”, “C”, and so on to “Zed”, but the team is still losing despite the din. Then, Cat Zed reveals Cat Voom (who is microscopically small) and the team rallies to win because “Voom!” has the loudest vuvuzela that causes an Iranian plane to vibrate apart and crash into the opponents’ bench during an official review making them forfeit.
For those who don’t like the vuvuzela noise, you can buy a parametric equalizer, download “Audacity” software, and notch it out, or hit MUTE.
