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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Hatvuvuzela (not verified)

at 14:56 on June 11th, 2010

I hate vuvuzelas, south africans for liking them, and FIFA for not banning them. Had to listen to them during confeds 2009. The World Cup is sacred. This destroys it. VUVUZELAS DESTROY FOOTBALL. BAN BAN BAN BAN BAN BAN BAN!!!!!!!

Hatevuvuzelas (not verified)

at 14:58 on June 11th, 2010

Seeng (not verified)

at 01:46 on June 15th, 2010

VIVA South Africa and your VUVUZELA. You've got it, do it your way!!!!

TheSituation (not verified)

at 07:23 on June 17th, 2010

I know you don't mean what you say. You just want your post to stand out and you're not fooling anybody, idiot.

Justin7643 (not verified)

at 15:10 on June 11th, 2010

You suck South Africa! Every person with one of those horns needs to promptly shove it up their asshole! Worst World Cup EVER!!!

Vuvulover (not verified)

at 01:50 on June 15th, 2010

Change the way of thinking. There are many people even those who are not South Africans, who love the VUVUZELA. Some have already bought those, and soon they will be all over the WORLD. VUVUZELAS are here to stay mate!!!!

TheSituation (not verified)

at 19:24 on June 17th, 2010

of this i have no doubt as the world is filled mostly with morons.

downWithVuvu (not verified)

at 16:18 on July 6th, 2010

why bother replying to people who are such idiots - they wouldn't be able to read anyway. Seeng and vuvulover probably are deaf.

Football fan (not verified)

at 16:00 on June 11th, 2010

its a disgrace and its FUCKING annoying! ban them please

Huy (not verified)

at 23:14 on June 15th, 2010

Fucking this noise. Why doesn't FIFA ban this fucking bullshit? I even couldn't hear the charming sound of the supporter, what makes the football king.

Dutchguy (not verified)

at 17:34 on June 11th, 2010

These fucking things are annoying as hell. No athmosphere from the supporters anymore, but just that irritating monotonous noise. Please FIFA, ban them.

r025 (not verified)

at 19:16 on June 11th, 2010

I cannot believe how annoying this buzzing sound is, I have never watched the world cup and would like to learn more about soccer from the commentators but I can't stand that noise and I can't hear them talk about the game. This is terrible for this coverage. Worst thing I have ever tried to watch!

E.Guy (not verified)

at 19:24 on June 11th, 2010

These things are fucking annoying as hell! They make the match so boring and monotonous. I thought it would only be in the games where South Africa is playing, but the France vs. Uruguay match was just as bad! I can't hear the crowd, chants, boos, ahhs, shouting at refs, shouting at offsides, or any general excitement. I was really excited for this world cup and planned to watch all the games, but after these first two I don't think I can take it, I mean who wants to watch a world cup game in mute? Urggh this is frustrating.

VUVULOVER (not verified)

at 01:56 on June 15th, 2010

That's it, you people are on about harrassing the players and making them feel uncomfortable in the pitch. South Africans are cheering the players up all the time with the VUVU because they are proud of them. Learn to love it as not everything should be done your way. Best world cup ever. It is clear that it is now in AFRICA. I hope it goes back to Africa in future, and guess what?, Vuvuzelas would be there AGAIN. Up with Vuvu South Africans and the rest of the World!!!!!

Burleigh Grimes (not verified)

at 20:16 on June 11th, 2010

This is the worst crowd noise EVER and totally destroys the spectacle. Even when South Africa scored their goal the stupid sods kept blowing the bloody things. I'm not a fan of banning things but BAN THIS!

Annoyed (not verified)

at 21:26 on June 11th, 2010

Swarm of flies is closer then bees. I swear I will bash someone over the head with the stupid thing before throwing it at the FIFA box. It is not culture, it is noise and this world cup will go down as one of the worst ever as a result. F you Seth Blatter for not having the guts to ban them.

Kiwi Grant (not verified)

at 21:35 on June 11th, 2010

What is Football without the atmosphere of the crowd? Atmosphere is about the emotion, the feelings, a reflection of the passion and highs and lows within the crowd. And yet Seth Blatter and people with IQ's of about 50 are allowed to destroy a WORLD event with a drone that has nothing to do with culture and everything to do with burnishing some corrupt Keffa officials wallet.

Jane Goodall (not verified)

at 21:57 on June 11th, 2010

Normally the whole family watch the world cup, my son and I can;t bear the noise.. Its horribleI usually enjoy this one time watching football, but not this year if the noise continues

Grandrouge (not verified)

at 22:24 on June 11th, 2010

I love my football and after two games I will record the rest of the games and watch at fast forward to see the goals only. My wife and kids could only stand 20 minutes before saying that they could not support the sound. You can't even hear the commentators on TV.Well don FIFA - the meories of 2010 will be a total non event ! Oh by the way, if we don't watch the games.....We won't see the sponsor signs !! Think about it FIFA

gary allen (not verified)

at 00:20 on June 12th, 2010

The poxy things should be banned,you cant hear the crowd,they are pathetic and ruining the world cup for me,i put the mute button on!

Costacurtas (not verified)

at 00:27 on June 12th, 2010

I agree with all the above.With all do respect to South Africans the noise from the vuvuzelas kills the Game's pulse. Really.I kindly ask from FIFA to ban the vuvuzelas at least for the group rounds. We have a gazzilion matches to watch from TV and already we are driving our selfs insane.Thanks

Damon James (not verified)

at 01:47 on June 12th, 2010

Making a big noise... Everybody wants to be a king don't they?????? What a EXTREMELY STUPID TOY. Blowing a horn simply because you are seated at a football match is RUDE as well as DUMB i.e. UNTHINKING. Enjoy the game by all means. Socially retarded baby toys should be left at home along with the retards who quite obviously can't stand being a small part of a big crowd. I cannot hear the game and don't want to follow it with the noise anyway. Pity.

TsV (not verified)

at 04:56 on June 16th, 2010

I completely agree about that. And, the anti-social retards should stay home if they want to blow trumpets non-stop throughout the whole game.

buzzin'ed (not verified)

at 01:50 on June 12th, 2010

I think all the teams should refuse to play until the dopes in south africa put those bloody things away. I cant understand why no one is doing anything about this. At the very least The tv channels could just have the commentators voices with some lively classical music in the backround. But I have already switched off, and I'm sure I'm not alone, but all the money has changed hands and those counting their money should hang their heads in shame for DOING NOTHING.

b hughes (not verified)

at 05:27 on June 13th, 2010

stop this crazy buzzing or i will switch off this is the worst world cup ever are the south africans mad or what !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

John Waite (not verified)

at 02:19 on June 12th, 2010

Watching the France / Uruguay match last night with my wife, we were appalled by the din of the vuvuzelas which drowned out the commentary. Destroying the atmosphere, it made the game all but unwatchable. If it continues it will definitely ruin the whole World Cup, a competition that people world wide have looked forward to for several years. What a shame, and what a blot on the reputation of South Africa as a competent host of such a major event!

TimBb (not verified)

at 04:01 on June 12th, 2010

Yep, it's terrible. Sound is off here now. Either they should ban them or the broadcasters should find a way to filter it out (surely not too difficult, seems like a fairly constant frequency range).

BuzznBeckhm (not verified)

at 04:07 on June 12th, 2010

What a shame! These vuvuzela's are horrible. In basketball, the home team fans use noise-makers or bangers to distract the other team during foul shots. It almost adds a fan factor to the sport and is entertaining in many venues. This is just stupid. Remind me what it's value is to the fans when the two teams are non South-African? To annoy the rest of the world? You suck South Africa.

VUVUZELA SHIT (not verified)

at 04:14 on June 12th, 2010

I'm so happy that I'm not the only one being driven mad by this. I hope you are all BOMBARDING THE TV STATIONS WITH COMPLAINTS! PLEASE PLEASE DO! I think they should either insist on soundproof studios for the commentators or else, as some others suggested, bring them all home and do it from here. It is definitely RUINING this world cup for me and, so it seems, many others. I wish I was there to RAM these FUCKING THINGS DOWN THEIR FUCKING THROATS!!!

John Try this (not verified)

at 04:18 on June 12th, 2010

I know this is not a total solution, but try this: In some of the newer TVs, you can reduce volume only on some of the frequencies, if you go into the advanced settings. On my Samsung, I managed to bring the irritation down a bit by reducing the frequency in which this annoying thing blasts. You need to play around a little bit to get it right. It does not go away for sure, but it can reduce it a lot.