Vuvuzela: The Buzzing Sound of the World Cup

by Jordan Yerman | June 11, 2010 at 09:49 am

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Vuvuzela: The Sound of South African Soccer at World Cup 2010

That bee-swarm sound coming from the stands is made by countless buzzing vuvuzelas. If you're in South Africa, you're no doubt hearing the buzz of the vuvuzela beginning far too early in the morning, and carrying on throughout the day. The only time the sound doesn't annoy you is when you're blowing your own.

The vuvuzela is a plastic horn blown by South African soccer fans, which first drew global attention during the 2009 FIFA Federations Cup, and not in a good way. FIFA wanted to ban the vuvuzela from stadiums. This was not due to the noise, though, but because of fears that the vuvuzela could be used as a weapon, or to present unsanctioned advertising (FIFA's attitude towards advertising is similar to the IOC's).

Vuvuzelas Detrimental to Human Hearing

The vuvuzela is not banned, so long as it is shorter than one meter (three feet) in length. Tests have shown, though, that the vuvuzela emits 127decibels, which is louder than a chainsaw. Prolonged exposure to that level of noise could cause hearing damage.

Origin of the Vuvuzela

While sometimes claimed as a descendant of the kudu horn, the vuvuzela is actually less than ten years old, adapted from a failed toy imported from the USA. With a local business grant, Masincedane Sport formed in Khayelitsha (in the Cape Flats) to manufacture an adapted version in 2001. Now, Masincedane sells vuvuzelas for R320 ($41), though there are countless, less-expensive knock-offs.

Tourists are buying the horns as well as locals, as was no doubt the intention of the manufacturer. Meanwhile, Bafana fans hope that the constant buzzing sound, with which non-African teams won't be as familiar, could give Bafana Bafana an extra advantage; as underdogs in the tournament, the South African side needs all the help it can get.

Journalists covering warm-up games have realised they cannot communicate by phone over the noise and that is before Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium fills up for the opening match on Friday with 90 000 people, many armed with trumpets.

What starts as something like a car horn when played in isolation, builds through the day until when I’m at my desk in a Johannesburg office tower you can hear from the streets below what can only be described as a giant swarm of bees. Loud bees.

There's uncertainty on the origin of the word "vuvuzela". Some say it comes from the isiZulu for - wait for it - "making noise". Others say it's from township slang related to the word "shower", because it "showers people with music" - or, more prosaically, looks a little like a shower head.

In case you are wondering, the world's largest vuvuzela is 114 feet long, perched atop that unfinished flyover near the Victoria & Albert Waterfront.

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Ilga (not verified)

at 11:31 on June 11th, 2010

This is awful. It's not just that it's an annoying monotinous sound. It's that it kills the ebbs and flows of a natural football crowd; the roar of the attack, the protests when a foul is not called, etc. You can't hear the different chants from the different sets of fans around the world....Please FIFA ban these, it k...ills the game and its atmosphere.

uups (not verified)

at 06:59 on June 12th, 2010

Sorry, just closed tv sport channel during Soccer World Cup 2010 because of the horrible noise of vuvuzelas. And will open it after the tournament. I love soccer, but it is not worth of the headache which begins after one hour watching tv.Hope to watch the games in Brazil 2014 without extra disturbance

sun22 (not verified)

at 14:59 on June 13th, 2010

why don't the tv channels just increase the volume of their voices vs the recorded volume of the crowd? that way we can lower the sound on the tv and barely hear the buzz of the vuvuzelas and still be able to hear the voice of the commentators.

Ulrich Richers (not verified)

at 04:12 on June 13th, 2010

I fully agree with Ilga. This is just outright horrible. It takes the whole "taste" out of the game. This FIFA tournement is unwatschable!

vuvushit (not verified)

at 07:29 on June 13th, 2010

Stop this fucking noise! You ruined the game; you ruined your reputation, South Africa! Let hear the true crowd noise! If you said in SA everyone likes it, the whole country need their head examined.

Peter Elliott (not verified)

at 23:39 on June 13th, 2010

Yes yes yes yes...These games have been destroyed for me....But I do think a lot of this shit is comming over the sound system to make up for smallish crowds.

Steven Smith (not verified)

at 12:08 on June 13th, 2010

I agree completely. I have had to turn down the sound on my TV. This buzzing destroys any sense of the crowd, cheering or otherwise. It is just painful, white, noise, and should be banned.

cs171943 (not verified)

at 12:36 on June 13th, 2010

Please FIFA stop these horrible/stupid trompets. I am a soccer fan and because of these trumpets and their buzzing, loud and annoying noises I am not watching any of the world cup matches. Please FIFA, again and again ban these f....ing trumpets.

Denis Morin (not verified)

at 21:20 on June 13th, 2010

I totally agree with Ilga. I dislike listening to the World Cup coverage and having to hear this constent buzzz. I miss the real sounds of this calibre of soccer game. I can't imagine having to hear this live! Please, ban the horns, it is taking away from the enjoyment of such a prestigious event.

STFU now (not verified)

at 18:06 on June 16th, 2010

Everyone saying they enjoy the Vuvu sounds is just bullshitting in an attempt to be unique. Everyone is aware of how obnoxious these things are, thats likely why the Vuvu players enjoy them so much. Because they know how much they annoy their competition's team and fans.

upset (not verified)

at 11:54 on June 11th, 2010

this stupid sound is destroying the world cup, you are right llga destroying the atmosphere, but imagine all those people that have got 3D TV for the world cup to only have a 3D bees nest. They must either ban or isolate that sound and remove it before it drives everyone up the wall, even though I am already up the wall and the girl friend has with 40 minuites said no more football and to be honest I do not blame her.

TheSituation (not verified)

at 07:17 on June 17th, 2010

My son and I were were planning this for years only to have the experience ruined "just like that"!South Africa? Thx but no thx. Never again!Oh, and when Brazil gets the cup in 4 years time, pay close attention to how a real country does it. Mind you, that would take a bit of attention and some intelligence which you clearly lack.

nicola butler (not verified)

at 12:04 on June 11th, 2010

Hi, I do not watch football, EVER except for the world cup and I am beside myself with frustration at having to listen to the constant BUZZ on the television. As someone commented before it totally destroys the atmosphere and makes it nearly impossible to watch. I think I shall wait for four years and be glad to wait if this is what I will go through for the next four weeks, Ban the fucking noise PLEEEEEEZE.

octaviolet

at 12:12 on June 11th, 2010

It really is horrible. It is completely distracting, and almost scary- how can anyone think this noise is actually fun?

TheSituation (not verified)

at 07:28 on June 17th, 2010

One of my friends was saying that this is payback time.All those years of neglect from the rest of the world, and now the South Africans got their chance to annoy the rest of us. Rather childish, would'nt you say? This of course is not totally unexpected given the collective intelligence of that country.

notAfan (not verified)

at 12:12 on June 11th, 2010

This is unbelievably annoying...I am getting a huge headache and all i can think about is that a huge swarm of killer bees is coming to get me. i am sure i will have nightmares tonight. Surely with today's technology, television broadcasters can figure out a way to eliminate that sound coming over the airwaves!

deafened (not verified)

at 12:17 on June 11th, 2010

Please FIFA STOP THE NOISE!!!!!!!!

deafened (not verified)

at 12:18 on June 11th, 2010

PLEASE FIFA STOP THE NOISE!!!!!!

Eileen Chamberlain (not verified)

at 12:21 on June 11th, 2010

BBC - ITV - SKY just bring your well paid commentators back home. It is a waste of money. The only way to watch a game is with the sound off! Its like having a million bluebottles buzzing around the room. Please someone BANISH the vuvuzela

Jon h. (not verified)

at 12:23 on June 11th, 2010

OMG this noise is killing me and the whole world cup!!!!

George St. (not verified)

at 12:26 on June 11th, 2010

It is only the second game on the first day and already I can't bear the vuvuzela. It has ruined the whole World Cup experience for me. I was so looking forward to it and the first in Africa too. I have a World Cup party planned for tomorrow but unfortunately I can only watch now with the sound down. I hope the FIFA and South Africans are happy because I am not.

Grant Bell (not verified)

at 12:27 on June 11th, 2010

Thanks for the heads up I had no idea what that noise was, thinking it was some sort of transmission problem. If this continues I`ll forgo the whole thing, as it is too annoying.

Biff (not verified)

at 14:33 on June 11th, 2010

STUPID! I can not even watch the god damned match because of this mosquito sound. Super-annoying, and terrible, just terrible. I now hate FIFA and South Africa.

Chris Classens (not verified)

at 18:12 on June 14th, 2010

Very annoying please ban immediately or filter out this STUPID buzzing sound!! It makes it just unbearable to watch!!

Seeng (not verified)

at 01:43 on June 15th, 2010

You are choosing to hate South Africa because you did not like the world cup going there. The noise is really comfortable and making the whole atmosphere fun. Switch your TV volume down like the others. The vuvu represents Africanism. It is there to stay, and in many years to come, when you think SA think VUVU. Well done FIFA for not listening to the bullies who want things to be done their own way all the time.

cherrymith (not verified)

at 20:56 on June 15th, 2010

You call this the sound of Africa, FUCK YOU, Bro the song the dance and the chants of Africa are totally different. they are more human and enjoyable, Thats what you call traditional sound, Get that PRICK.

TheSituation (not verified)

at 07:55 on June 17th, 2010

nobody believes what you're saying. you're just an asshole contrarian just for the hell of it.

knotababo (not verified)

at 17:56 on June 18th, 2010

Anyone who defends this intolerable noise in the name of African-ism is an asshole. Before the cup started I respected S. Africa. Now I think you are the most selfish, childish bunch of assholes in Africa. Should have let Kenya or some other African country host it. Even places like Somalia would do a better job.

orochimaru (not verified)

at 20:38 on June 24th, 2010

Sorry, but you are mistaken...it does not represent Africanism...not by a long shot. It was actually a horn that was given away as a prize at some of the church fairs where I lived over 25 years ago. I had one as a child ( in the U.S.A. ) These horns DID in fact originate in the USA...and then migrated to South Africa, and they renamed it. It has nothing to do with African culture whatsoever. Get your facts straight.