WELCOME TO THE NOISIEST WORLD CUP EVER!!
December 10th 2009 09:10
The FIFA World Cup in South Africa in June next year will be marked by the trademark shrills of the noisy vuvuzela. The plastic “annoying” trumpet, sometimes called a "lepatata" (its Setswana name) or a stadium horn, is a blowing horn, approximately one metre in length, commonly blown by fans at football matches in South Africa. The origin of the name is disputed. It may originate from the Zulu for "making noise," from the "vuvu" sound it makes, or from township slang related to the word for "shower."
Vuvuzelas have been said to be rooted in African history, but this is disputed. People would blow on a kudu horn to call villagers to a meeting. Adding to the appeal is African folklore that "A baboon is killed by a lot of noise." During the last quarter of a match, supporters blow vuvuzelas frantically in an attempt to "kill off" their opponents. Drums are also used dirug matches adding to that African carnival mood.
Any fan worth their salt will also know that it is up to them to make noise to create the best possible atmosphere inside the stadium. So any one thinking that the vuvuzela have to done away with better look for ear muffs and run onto the pitch.
In Europe, fans can turn a stadium into a cauldron of noise by singing, chanting and setting off flares. In Africa, we tend to bang the drum and dance while others have little trouble whistling for 90 minutes.
In South Africa, not many people will take your football credentials seriously if you turn up at the stadium without a vuvuzela. So why all the fuss about this plastic trumpet?
Unique to South Africa, the vuvuzela appears to have put the wind up many people - especially in Europe. We heard the Spanish midfielder Alonso complaining that the din is too much for concentration on the pitch. Well the flares on the European soccer night remind us of the torching of houses during tribal wars at home. And it can be very traumatic, but we are not complaining!
The electrifying atmosphere generated by the ubiquitous instrument during Confederations Cup has left many of the onlookers spell bound. But many in Europe say the incessant blowing in the terraces is irritating and have complained that it is drowning out their TV commentators. They do have to put up or shut up!
Fifa president Sepp Blatter recently revealed that broadcasters want the instrument banned at next year's World Cup. But to his eternal credit, the Fifa chief also sprang to the defence of the humble trumpet, saying people must accept that it is part and parcel of football in South Africa.
"That is what African and South Africa football is all about - noise, excitement, dancing, shouting and enjoyment," said the most powerful man in world football. I could not have put it better myself. Banning the vuvuzela would take away the distinctiveness of a South African World Cup. It is a recognized sound of football in South Africa and is absolutely essential for an authentic South African footballing experience.
After all, what would be the point of taking the World Cup to Africa, and then trying to give it a European feel? Let us all embrace the vuvuzela and whatever else a South African World Cup throws at us. The fact that some in Europe find it irritating is no reason to get rid of it.
The fifa boss also suggested that it was like telling brazil to lose the samba dance, the sombrero clad Mexicans should also be thrown away from soccer stadiums. Love or leave it the noisiest world cup is here and come on mama Africa you can do it. We love you. Let me blow one more time on my yellow pimped up vuvuzela!!
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