I am trying to watch FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 these days but some noise makes me sick and I can not even enjoy the game itself.When I googled it, I've learnt that this thing is called as vuvuzela and is used by South African Soccer Fans. Below is the definition of vuvuzela taken from Wikipedia.
"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"."
For those who haven't heard what kind of noise this thing makes, watch (just listen actually) this video,
or this one,
and hear it yourselves.
It is so late to take an action or raise concerns for ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, but we can raise our concerns and let FIFA know this thing called "vuvuzela" takes all the enjoyment of the game and should be banned during 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Just vote! Thanks.
Here is a picture of vuvuzelas,
For those who haven't heard what kind of noise this thing makes, watch (just listen actually) this video,
or this one,
and hear it yourselves.
It is so late to take an action or raise concerns for ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, but we can raise our concerns and let FIFA know this thing called "vuvuzela" takes all the enjoyment of the game and should be banned during 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Just vote! Thanks.
Yes, absolutely!!!
ReplyDeletePraise this blog post!! The noise gremlins must go... I had to turn the tv on mute after 30 minutes of a confed cup game. Absolutely ruin the atmosphere in my opinion as well.
ReplyDelete'Absolutely' ad-infinitum! ... this is what I wrote to FIFA and the BBC (TV, UK)...
ReplyDelete"
FIFA/TV PROVIDERS: PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, OTHERWISE THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP TV COVERAGE IS ESSENTIALLY UNWATCHABLE!
How can FIFA so naively and simplistically allow the use of a *locally-only* relevant or cultural item (i.e. "vuvuzela") - mainly for that reason, if not only for that, which itself is a nonsense and idealistic defence or argument - to be permitted into the context of a globally listened to and watched sporting event, without any thought or regard to that item's overwhelming dominance upon the audio quality of the output of the media coverage, meaning the consequential non-existent atmosphere and enjoyment of it as a result?!
And no, the above and the following *IS NOT* some sort of simplistically-/easily-dismissed, cultural difference or misunderstanding, but is in fact a considered and serious observation regarding the quality and enjoyment of coverage from the point of view of an average or typical *genuine* football fan - and which is being repeatedly stated by an increasing number of such persons worldwide - please see the Internet for proof!
So far, the coverage has been entirely dominated and spoilt by these EXTREMELY irritating, monotonous and tuneless 'instruments', which sound like a continuous, droning swarm of demented flying insects!
Here in the UK, the BBC's TV coverage sound balance means that the commentary is quiet, and therefore this 'background' noise cannot be ignored when attempting to concentrate on the commentators.
Additionally, the proper crowd noise, i.e. everything other than the horns, is typically even quieter still, and therefore there is virtually no sense of atmosphere for the TV viewer, but instead a constant, tedious annoyance spoiling every second of every match so far!
*PLEASE DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND/MISREPRESENT ME*, I very much appreciate participants who make a positive contribution to the atmosphere of a game by using their voices, or an occasional tuneful addition by utilising proper instruments, i.e. drums, trumpets, etc., and play tunes which accompany cheering and even encourage chanting and singing - but these horns *DO NOT* add anything positive whatsoever, and the sale of which simply serves to line the pockets of the vendors who sell them, under the pretense of a local/cultural relevance: so 'FORGET' the interests of the billions of TV/radio/Internet viewers then, FIFA!
I sincerely hope that FIFA *DOES NOT* inflict this tedium upon us in next year's world cup, otherwise that will be a spectacular, total and utter disaster!
"
Hi
ReplyDeleteI live in South Africa and have heard this terrible noise for the first time when watching the Azzurri on Monday night. This noise is so annoying that I find it difficult to enjoy the game. I am a proud supporter of SA rugby and have attended every game in my local stadium for past few years, without ever having such disgusting crowd noise. And how the hell can they blow this thing for the entire game. Don't they watch the soccer? I guess this is the reason SA will never achieve anything, the national association is just as ignorant as their fans if they allow this in next year's world cup. And if FIFA allow it, the whole world will be taking giant leaps backward, just as Africa has been doing for past 2000 years
This is the reason the sensible people in SA do not watch local soccer
ReplyDeleteDestroy all vuvuzelas!
ReplyDeleteI also had to mute the game tonight as the noise was just unbearable. why can't people in South Africa get some chants or songs to truly get some atmosphere into the stadium. as the name of the competition states it is the WORLD cup. why should one extremely annoying culture be inflicted on everyone else around the world who wants to watch and support their team and generally just enjoy the match..
ReplyDeleteExactly, not all South Africans enjoy this stupid "noise", I hate it. The people who regard this annoying thing their culture use their culture and injustices from the past as an excuse for everything. They are generally a noisy crowd. Whisper when alone, but shout wen more than 1, even thou they next to each other. SA has suffered with their excuses for long enough, there's no reason why the "world" needs to suffer with these excuses as well. Luckily for me, the Confederations Cup is over now. Hope this things isn't around when the World Champs come back to defend their trophy.
ReplyDeleteOh well deal with it!!!! Live with it!!! I am a South African SOCCER supporter and the vuvuzela has been part of the soccer culture here for years! The world cup will be in SOUTH AFRICA and will show OUR soccer culture and for any1 whos actually gone to watch the games live the atmosphere there is great!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGET EAR PLUGS
Viva Vuvuzela, Viva! Each sporting nation has their own way of supporting their teams and the sport in general. What about the silly French/Spanish Bugle sound from the Rugby world Cup? It was great. We've even adopted it at some of our rugby games.
ReplyDeleteAs for the TV viewers saying they cannot hear the commentary, well that's not the vuvuzela's fault, it's the sound engineers who need to get their act together.
Let the South African Supporters use the Vuvuzela as our war-cry. Heaven knows we'll need all the help we can get.
I'm not a soccer supporter but have watched the ConFed Cup and loved it, Vuvuzela and all.
Steven
Viva Vuvuzela, Viva! Each sporting nation has their own way of supporting their teams and the sport in general. What about the silly French/Spanish Bugle sound from the Rugby world Cup? It was great. We've even adopted it at some of our rugby games.
ReplyDeleteAs for the TV viewers saying they cannot hear the commentary, well that's not the vuvuzela's fault, it's the sound engineers who need to get their act together.
Let the South African Supporters use the Vuvuzela as our war-cry. Heaven knows we'll need all the help we can get.
I'm not a soccer supporter but have watched the ConFed Cup and loved it, Vuvuzela and all.
Steven
Many comments in the vuvuzela discussion are unfortunately racist. Let´s bring the discussion to an appropriate level.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between TV and Stadium/Watching soccer in crowd.
When sitting on your couch watching a match on TV the sound of vuvuzelas or Tröten (how they are called in Germany) makes less fun than being in crowd at the stadium a feeling the magic of the moment. Blowing a vuvuzela can be contagious!
During the World Cup 2006 in Germany vuvuzelas/Tröten were available in many cities. The atmosphere was awesome! I was lucky to be in Hannover when hundreds of Mexican supporters were having a party in the stadium and the city all of them equipped with vuvuzelas.
So let´s see the vuvuzelas as part of a world wide fan culture and not only a local phenomenon of South Africa!
My advice: Get a vuvuzela of your own and experience how much fun you can have!
Typical, just like SA (not Springbok) rugby coach, Pieter Devilliers the race card is used to justify stupidity. Listen to yourself, or has that noise deafened ur thoughts? Do you honestly think supporters in other countries blew their horn for the entire game? Or do u think they used their sensibility to use it at opportune moments during the match. This noise is like a bunch of flies, which will lead the rest of the world to bleieve South Africa is some dirty place with alot of flies
ReplyDeletewow chris ur last sentence is the most unintelligent thing i've read so far.
ReplyDeletemy message to FIFA: If you want to ban the vuvuzela's, you might as well take ur World Cup and go shove it up your asses!
i personally have bought everyone of south africa nd brazil's group games, when i bought those tickets i was given a free supporters pack which includes: a bafana bafana scarf, a SA national flag and my most prized possession; A VUVUZELA!!! i love it, i've been to many local games and i've always wanted to own one.
looking forward to teaching people from all over the world how to blow a vuvuzela to full effect. many supporters from abroad, who have been attending confed games, have already adopted the vuvuzela culture...
my advice to all of you: calm down... take a deep breath... and blow that vuvuzela damn hard!
PS: This site is disgustingly biased... pathetic europeans always think they know best, Sies, minqundu.
I suspect that very few South Africans will be able to afford World Cup match tickets. Problem solved.
ReplyDeletegrow up..all of you..and if the vuvuzela is going to be the sole cause of you "not attending" or "not watching" the 2010 world cup, then you are not a fan of football, and don’t come.. 1. The blog post mentions how some players dont hear one another.. In europe, in Old Trafford when 76000 fans are singing the same song at intense volumes swearing the opposition with all of their voices, who complains then? I am a Man Utd supporter, and i dont give rise to an issue such as this because it is part of the tradition of english football..Ask a football player who has played at anfield about the noise volumes the Kop creates..should Fifa ban the singing chants of the stretford end and the kop as well?? grow up people..oh and mr blogger, Ronaldo was sent off during the premier league season for a handball where hearing a team mate was not the problem, but he thought he heard the referee's whistle in the noise of the crowd..hmmmm, so should Fifa ban those supporters and the sounds they make too??
ReplyDelete2. Many of the international viewers are against on the basis of two things. i) What they heard on their tv sets..and ii) based on what pathetic south african haters have to say..based on i) i can understand this..however that was a technical error on the broadcaster's part..and it was improved in every game..btw, it takes broadcasters about ten minutes to normalize audio for champions' league matches..and how long has that tournament been around for? people, i assure u the quality of the audio feedback will be improved..because it is being worked on..for issue number ii) to all the international football lovers who have been guided by comments of some south africans, only a tiny majority of less than 5 percent of south africans "hate" the vuvuzela..and a lot of them base their lives on looking for negatives within south africa. 3. U complain about the monotonous sound of the vuvuzela and it being a crazy noise..and the way u base ur comparisons to rugby tell me alot about you just btw..I was at the Spain v USA semi final, and the atmosphere inside was electric and at no point did it deter my enjoying of the football on display!! there was rhythm to the instrument and the crowd engaged in various chants.. which you obviously wont know about..i too took video clips of the match on my phone, and like any such video, the sound is ALWAYS distorted!! yes, my cell phone clips would reinforce ur argument! but those are low quality vids and i can assure you that the sound within the stadium was absolutely marvelous and not like the videos..u have to be real cold hearted and filled with hate to not feel a sense of pride and patriotism within the stadium..because i know that as a south african, i was drenched with pride and patriotism after the game..
PART TWO OF MY RESPONSE FOLLOWS
PART TWO OF MY RESPONSE
ReplyDelete4. In South America the drums beat through the whole game..Fifa themselves talk about the cow bells that chime throughout matches in Switzerland. English, Irish, Scottish, and some other european nations have some chants that are full of hate and vulgar (not forgetting of course that they sing magnificently)...And guess what, I, like most of the true football supporters have got no problem with any of that whatsoever! why should I?? its all apart of their culture and its part of what makes football so beautiful..It’s what makes European footballing culture UNIQUE, and i enjoy it..The problem in SA is that there is an ignorant minority of our population who aspire to live like Europeans or the European way (not to say at all that there is anything wrong with the European way of life, i hope you understand what i am trying to say)..The Vuvuzela is apart of south african footballing culture..accept it..deal with it..if you cant appreciate this, then dont come to SA next year! i can assure you thought that u would enjoy the atmosphere inside the stadiums.. Some of these comments are so immature that it disappoints me..Chris, your comments are absolutely disgusting..you say you live in SA, if you do, then maybe you should apply for residence abroad.. "Chris said... This is the reason the sensible people in SA do not watch local soccer"..what are you trying to say about the hundreds of thousand of football fans in our country and the ones that went to confed cup?? If you think I am not sensible, I would challenge u to try me..Show me you university degrees and i'll show you mine..Show me your football apparel and in your house and i'll show you mine..Show me your passport, and i will show you mine..Give me insight into ur mind and i will give you insight about my heart, the one that lies in South Africa and all things south african I could talk just fine to the person next to me, behind of me and in front of me in the stadium.. This blogpost is pathetic..I dont expect any of you people who disapprove of the vuvuzela to attend the world cup, but if you do, you will realize how wrong you and this blogger was..Chris, u hate this country evidently, and you say we're moving backwards.. Fact: SA has one of the best banking systems in the world..In fact, only 7 others compare. ..While other countries plummeted into recession with retrograde (ie GDP growth rates of -7 to -50 % ), the SA economy held steady between -1 and +3% at all stages of the global financial crisis.. To all the curious readers out there in the international community who are simply reading this for sake of gaining some knowledge about South African football and culture, let me assure you that you will love being in our stadia next year, and we will love your presence here during the greatest sporting event the world has to offer :-) see you next year!
and to our dear anonymous friend who said that south africans cant afford to buy tickets and hence the problem is solved, your are soooo wrong buddy :)
Further to my comment, #3 above...
ReplyDeleteAll persons participating in the on-line debate regarding the vuvuzela define themselves by way of their own postings on the Internet, be these by webmasters, press/story writers, third-party forum posters, or anyone else.
It is ironic that so many of these persons misunderstand and misrepresent the postings of others, then misuse that 'fact' to justify their own actual defensive/offensive postings, claiming that their own postings are in response to the postings of others, but without any sense or realisation as to that being self-defining as lacking in honesty, decency, integrity or respect, as that also being the self-definition of their posts too.
Above, Y said: "PS: This site is disgustingly biased... pathetic europeans always think they know best,..."
ReplyDeleteErr, clue's in the name of the website, Y: i.e. "http://banthevuvuzela.blogspot.com" - so obviously the website's webmaster's own posts are in accordance with expressing and substantiating their/those views!
However, the comment postings are independent and are therefore unbiased, which is why yours is here, amongst various others, too.
Lastly, please retract your unnecessary northern hemisphere slur that you made as a result of your observation in your posting - comments such as these are demeaning to yourself, let alone to whom you intended them to refer to: which is several hundreds of millions of people, so just a 'bit' of a generalisation then, don't you think, Y? ... ;-P
In my opinion the problem with the Vuvuzela is not the thing itself but the indiscriminate and inarticulate way it is used. Continuous random mass bleating is very different from the heart-swelling sound of 1000's of people all singing a song together that they all know and love, whether a soccer chant or a national song. If the vvz were a properly designed plastic natural trumpet (its bore is wrongly shaped), people could quickly learn to play a few different pitches/notes on it (like the notes of a bugle call on the major chord/overtone series), just as anyone willing to experiment for a few minutes can learn to produce the higher overtones on an empty beer bottle by blowing with successively tighter airstream and more pressure at an increasingly step angle across the mouth of the bottle. And if a designer added finger holes to the vvz design, as on a penny whistle, this could allow you to play notes of a scale or mode (such as the pentatonic traditionally used across Africa as well as in the Far East)and thus play a rudimentary tune (the best kind for stadium life). OR, if it came in different sizes tuned to notes of a chord (like the pre-set notes when you blow--or draw--on a harmonica), at least the stadium would be filled with a harmonious sound. But part of the problem is intonation and tone; no one who just wants to vent their excitement with a blawting noise will take the time to learn how to make a clear focused sound on one--and sustain a single pitch as on a real trumpet (it can be done even on the present vvz, ask any brass instrument player). So you get mass ugly bleats and smeared honks, like a herd of cattle in a charnel house stockyard before the slaughter.
ReplyDeleteIt is also an unfortunate choice when we passively let the sound of soccer fans represent an entire culture . . . whether SA or Europe or wherever. Please, let no one judge "African" or "South African" non-white (non-European) music by this energetic bleating. Anyone can find out how wonderful African music is across 300+ tribes (traditional) and 100 countries (modern/pop), and even the missionary-influenced African Christian harmonized music. Go on the Web, UTube, ITunes, etc. Hear vitality, invention, exuberance, grace rhythm, deep energy of life and spirit. And good tunes. And full harmony. The vuvuzela has little to do with that--except for how loud it is. It is best judged **outside the realm of music. It is more akin to people honking their car horns to express excitement, or shooting off AK47s into the air to celebrate a victory.
Also, I'd swear this plastic horn has been in use in the US, Mexico, and Central and South America since the 1950's. What ancient Western Hemisphere tribal history did that use come from . . . ? The South African twist is a recent marketing ploy a far as I can tell.
I'd certainly prefer not to watch a game with it in my ear, live or on TV, at least not until something at least as cogent as an "ole, ole ole ole" chant can be done by groups using them.
Designers? Teachers? Time to step up!
(The VVZ orchestra of Bafana Bafana, though a brave experiment, did not make the grade, still horribly out of tune.)
David Avshalomov, Santa Monica, CA, USA
Soccer lover and professional Western classical composer and singer
Vuvuzelas can't be compared to supporter chants or trombones or drums. Those have rhythm and do not sound like a hornet's nest. Please, South Africans, don't bring the rest of us Africans down with you. If you don't know how to make a joyful noise at a football match - and you clearly do not - ask the rest of the continent for advice. We'll even send you drummers - with instruments made in Africa, not China. Signed... a Zimbabwean.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ToLaSj_iA0
ReplyDeleteThis man does not agree with the banning of the Vuvuzela..
The "Vuvuzela" is NOT a traditional African instrument. It is basically a cheap plastic airhorn, like those found in many countries. The ones used in SA are often manufactured in the Far East (of Asia, not Africa!)
ReplyDeleteIt would be crazy and tragic to allow these tinny-sounding blowpieces to ruin a major international sporting event.
Let's have some singing! Let's have some drums and brass! Hey, let's have some traditional African instruments - show us the richness of your local culture - that would be great!
Give us anything, we beg of you, but the incessant moronic buzz of these cheap plastic horns, which may very well sound quite arresting in the stadium, but on television simply sound like some kind of electrical fault drowning out the commentary.
Don't make us wish desperately they'd gone for Morocco instead.
These insidious horns came to my attention in this years ConFed cup. It was so annyoing that i had a very difficult time watching.
ReplyDeleteIm in the USA which as we all know is not very keen on the sport. I really started to enjoy it during the last WC and watch every single match but one.
I will say this. If the horn is not banned, i can assure you i will not be watching many matches at all.
I would completely expect Television ratings to be very low should the horns be allowed. Somewhat casual soccer fans are not going to watch with that noise screaming thru the speakers.
You know, if they blew these things in in kind of synchronised fashion it might not be so bad, but the totallyt random and varied shrill pitches are maddening. I really dont even see the point.
If you are so old that these noises irritate you then the old age home should stop allowing you to watch any football. Stop whining and if you do not like it do not watch the game. Bafana for life. Kenako
ReplyDeleteThere is no spirit with the Vivuzela. Its just noise... a long draining noise throughout the whole match. Thousands just blowing their vuvuzelas. It must be horrible for the players as well!!!.
ReplyDeleteThese vuvuzelas have not been around for many years. And being South African - I will never consider buying one or using one. Its certainly not part of my culture, not part of the culture of most people i know.
But it may be part of the culture of the uneducated... "small things amuse small brains" analogy
I think it's a case of crying over spilt milk. The vuvuzelas will be allowed and in case no one noticed, the World Cup is being held in South Africa. Enpough with the whinging, let's enjoy the beautiful game.
ReplyDeleteThese horns will ruin the television viewing experience of millions of people. If South Africans are so keen to display their "culture" at games, why not bring their many wives and sing and dance? Surley that kind of display would have far more cultural significance than blowing a plastic horn at 120db and harming your (and everyone elses) hearing. I hope the powers that be realize their mistake in allowing these obnoxious, irritating and game destroying peices of crap before the final.
ReplyDeleteA bit late to the party here...World Cup opener is today and I was awakened this morning to the sound of one of my neighbours blowing the vuvuzela...I expect this kind of aural assault for the next month and I am not happy about it.
ReplyDeleteNot being a sports fan, I personally don't care if they blow the damned things from the beginning of each match to the end, as long as the noise is confined to the stadium. If it is part of "soccer culture" in this country, then if you go to a soccer match here...World Cup or any other...that's part of the local experience and expecting a South African soccer match to be vuvuzela free is like expecting an American baseball game to not have some no-talent wannabe singer massacring the Star Spangled Banner over an unnecessarily loud PA system. It ain't gonna happen...the vuvuzela, irritating as it is, is part of the South African soccer experience...deal with it.
But I would dearly love to find a way to have them crumble to dust as soon as their possessors exit the stadium so that they don't become the indiscriminately used toys of the children of clueless parents in every neighbourhood in town.
The fans cannot be watching the game if they just blow these things! The sound is awful!! When a team scores the sound doesn't change...just hear the same droning sound of the horns as if nothing has happened. Completely spoils the atmosphere- infact what atmosphere!!?? There isn't any!! BAN THESE NOW!!!! FIFA BAN THESE NOW!!
ReplyDeletethese things take away so much from the game itself. I cant believe they are still allowed.
ReplyDeleteMan, where are you these days? I mean you, blogger. The vuvuzelas are annoying the hell out of rest of the world. We need you! Start posting again, please!
ReplyDeleteBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN VUVUZELA
ReplyDeleteVandalize Unpleasant Vulgar Uncomfortably Zombie Epileptic Lame Absent-minded
ReplyDeleteWorld cup is ruined by them,they aren't part of african culture as africa has been around a lot longer than 10 years.
ReplyDeleteThey should be banned,FIFA grow a set and ban these things from grounds and stop claiming they are part of their culture.
Any South African should be embarassed by this mindless racket. And these horns have been around for yonks, by the way, so claiming they are an African tradition is crap.
ReplyDeleteWhere can we officially vote to ban the Vuvuzelas?
ReplyDeletecomplain to FIFA
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html
http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html
http://www.fifa.com/contact/form.html
The louder and longer it sounds, the stupider that whole country and its people will look on the world stage!
ReplyDeleteWow.. I hate the noise as it plays off my television. The first time I heard it I found it so offensively monotonous that I had to switch off after 2 minutes. I don't even know if I made it that long. The second time wasn't as bad so either the stations have improved their filters or I'm actually getting used to it. Either way I only managed about 10 minutes of viewing before I could feel a headache pierce through my skull eventually. I do imagine it is different in the stadium, but I think I'd still be very concerned about my hearing and the amount of spit that flies through the air (or so I've been told).
ReplyDeleteI was born in S.A but left 20 years ago when I was still a kid so probably not an expert in culture. I do know those things have existed for decree and decades. It's kinda sad to see this plastic piece of manufactured junk being touted as culture.
The race card keeps being played when I don't think it's an issue and detracts from the main argument about health and quality of life. I've seen the whole world blowing away, and I can understand the possible addictiveness/contagiousness for the blowers, I'm sure it's all fun when you're there.
I just feel sorry for the people of any race who value their hearing and peace of mind. For people who live nearby the stadia who are getting pounded with it day and night.. The elderly, children.. others who work hard and need a little bit of uninterrupted sleep. I feel kinda sorry for the sponsors... undoubtedly ratings will be down.
I just hope the minority that is the worlds plastic horn blowers will all leave them in a plastics recycle bin. Horror thoughts of landfills piled with made in china plastics!! Most importantly that they don't take them home to their respective countries and try to palm it off as culture. I look forward to the next world cup when lessons are finally learnt and I can enjoy the game with the audio on.
Vuvuzela choir = super sensory overload.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong - many autistic people (especially kids) can melt down at a drop of a hat when those annoying horns play. Ban them!
It takes a special kind of moron to recognise a Vuvuzela as a traditional instrument which adds to the atmosphere of a football game.
ReplyDeleteIn reality it is nothing more than a cheap piece of mass produced tat from China. It is not traditional, it is not cultural, and it does not inspire any football player to play better. What it does do is deafen everyone at the match and spoil it for everyone watching on TV.
I just pray that it doesn't catch on. Having them in the PL would be catastrophic. This cancer of football has to be banned in every league in Europe post haste. This has to be the priority now. The World Cup is a lost cause, but we may still be able to save football.