Blinders & Blunders: Vuvuzela
For the final Blinder & Blunder post, the opinion is totally up to you. Like marmite or snowy weather, it is really a case of love it or hate it. There is no denying however it has been the UNIQUE feature of the South African World Cup. I am, of course, talking about the Vuvuzela. There is no point me wasting time explaining what one is, as every news show, paper or magazine has had the two cents worth. TV channels have turned it down, off or simply let it play. It has been compared to a motor bike, a Grand Prix and a Swarm of Bees. It has however, given the 2010 World Cup a true indentity and added a real atmosphere to every match, even the few where ticket sales were less successful!
I have personally loved them throughout. Anything that is new and exciting in the world of football gets my vote, and while some fans may find them annoying, you have to remember that English fans used to have the uber annoying clackers and South American football currently has whistles, drums and trumpets. Football is a sport of expression, and limiting a nation’s fans with how they can or can’t express themselves on the side lines is very wrong. What next? No flags because they impede spectators views? No replica shirts because they confuse the players on the pitch? They have been a defining part of this years competition, but as for Blinder or Blunder, thats totally up to you!
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
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