Attack of the Vuvuzelas!!!
A simple $3 plastic horn is causing quite a stir at World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The “vuvuzela”, a horn blown by African fans at sporting events has drawn global criticism as players, fans and broadcasters have complained about the constant blaring noise. In case you haven’t caught any of the World Cup so far, the horns are blown non-stop throughout the game making a constant buzzing noise that sounds like a swarm of bees.
While the use of vuvuzelas has no doubt been heaviest during games involving African nations, fans from other countries at the tournament have joined to craze. While the noise only seems like a normal part of the atmosphere when watching on TV, I can only imagine how annoying it would be to listen to a full 90 minutes of vuvuzela in your ear.
The noise has led huge amounts of spectators to turn to “Vuvu-Stopper” earplugs. The annoying sound has led to unexpectedly high demand for the earplugs which supposedly can reduce noise up to 31 decibles. Vuvuzelas can record noise levels of up to 130 decibels, compared to the 100 produced by a chainsaw, and it seems many people need some peace.
Broadcasters who are covering the games live have also complained, saying the buzzing noise is drowning out the more natural crowd reaction noises that make viewers watching at home feel like they are at the stadium. ESPN has been altering the sound mix on its broadcasts to minimize the crowd noise, accepting that the vuvuzela is part of the atmosphere. Others have not been so accepting including John Leicester of the Associated Press who said, “The constant drone of cheap and tuneless plastic horns is killing the atmosphere of the World Cup.”
The complaining didn’t stop at fans and broadcasters. Some players and coaches have voiced their displeasure including France defender Patrice Evra who went just short of blaming France’s draw with Uruguay on the plastic horn. “We can’t sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas,” Evra said. “People start playing them from 6 a.m. We can’t hear one another out on the pitch because of them.”
While there were some reports that FIFA was considering banning the vuvuzela, official word from FIFA President Sepp Blatter said otherwise.
“I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound,” said Blatter. “I don’t see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?”
What it boils down to is, you either love vuvuzelas or you hate them. In South Africa they love the historic horn horn which was used by their forefathers to call meetings.
The vuvuzela is also turning out to be a big hit as a gift for World Cup participants and fans. England defender Jamie Carragher said he’s already been asked to bring some back by his to kids.
“I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound”
And that sound is apparently an endless monotone drone akin to suffering from tinnitus.
“I don’t see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?”
Why the need to ban them when you can just drown them out with the constant unrelenting sound of the worlds biggest swarm of angry bees instead!
Sepp Blatter should resign, he’s ignored the complaints of pretty much the entire football watching world and ruined the planets greatest sporting event.
I don’t think you would find anybody who would wish the South Africans to support their own teams matches by blowing their vuvuzelas, just don’t allow them at other teams matches, let them sing chant and cheer their traditional terrace songs as they do at every other international match and competition.
There are a couple of petitions online to ban the vuvuzela from the World Cup. Here’s one:
http://www.petitiononline.com/2010WC/petition.html
Le me tell you a story about vuvuzela
The vuvuzela (pronunciation: /vu?vu?’z?l?/), also known as lepatata (its Tswana name), is typically a 65-centimetre (2 ft) plastic device that requires the flow of air to produce a loud monotone note, typically around B?3 (the B? below middle A similar device, known as the corneta, is used in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Many types of vuvuzela, made by several manufacturers, may produce varying intensity and frequency outputs. The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and pressure exerted.
Traditionally made and inspired from a kudu horn, the vuvuzela was used to summon distant villagers to attend community gatherings.[dubious discuss] The vuvuzela is most used at soccer matches in South Africa, and it has become a symbol of South African soccer as the stadiums are filled with its loud and raucous sound that reflects the exhilaration of supporters. The intensity of the sound caught the attention of the global soccer community during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in anticipation of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The vuvuzela has been the subject of controversy. Its high sound pressure levels at close range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after exposure,with a sound pressure of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 metre (3.3 ft) from the device opening.
The origin of the device is disputed. The term vuvuzela was first used in South Africa from the Zulu language or Nguni dialect meaning to make a vuvu sound (directly translated: vuvu-ing).[citation needed] Controversies over the invention arose in early 2010. South African Kaizer Chiefs fan Freddie Saddam Maake claimed the invention of the vuvuzela by fabricating an aluminium version in 1965 from a bicycle horn and has photographic evidence of himself holding the aluminium vuvuzela in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He also claimed to have coined vuvuzela from the Zulu language for welcome, unite and celebration.Plastics factory Masincedane Sport popularised the ubiquitous plastic vuvuzela commonly heard at South African football games in 2002, and the Nazareth Baptist Church claimed the vuvuzela belonged to their church.
The world soccer governing body, FIFA, proposed to ban vuvuzela from stadiums, as they were seen as potential weapons for hooligans and could be used in ambush marketing. Columnist Jon Qwelane described the device as an instrument from hell. South African soccer authorities argued that the vuvuzela was part of the South African soccer experience.The Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso said, Those trumpets? That noise I dont like FIFA must ban those things it is not nice to have a noise like that. Commentator Farayi Mungazi said, Banning the vuvuzela would take away the distinctiveness of a South African World Cup absolutely essential for an authentic South African footballing experience.
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk remarked, it was annoying in the stadiums you get used to it but it is still unpleasant. FIFA President Sepp Blatter responded, we should not try to Europeanise an African World Cup that is what African and South Africa football is all about noise, excitement, dancing, shouting and enjoyment. Despite the criticisms, FIFA agreed to permit their use in stadiums during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Marius
http://vuvuzele.wordpress.com
i love watching the world cup on television coz i am a football addict ..