The Vuvuzela

One of the most distinctive things about this year's World Cup is the vuvuzela, a simple plastic horn that blows one note: b-flat. South African soccer fans LOVE their vuvuzelas. If you have watched any World Cup game this year, the stadium sounds like a bee hive thanks to thousands of fans blowing their vuvuzelas simultaneously.

Vuvuzelas are somewhat controversial. Some fans get annoyed because the horns are pretty darn loud and take away from the chanting and singing traditionally associated with their teams. Players and coaches whine about vuvuzelas because they cannot bark signals or hear themselves think on the pitch. Prior to the tournament, FIFA considered banning them from World Cup stadiums until the host country objected. Africans in general, and South Africans in particular, consider them to be integral to the soccer-watching experience on their continent, so FIFA had to acquiesce.

In South Africa, they are EVERYWHERE. I heard the buzz as soon as I passed through customs at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. During the World Cup, it is perfectly appropriate to blow one's vuvuzela in a bus, crowded elevator, hotel lobby, restaurant, bathroom...wherever. The only time tooting one's horn is inappropriate is during the pre-game national anthems.

Not all fans find the vuvuzela easy to operate; it requires a little practice and skill. "Good vuvu" involves producing a clean, pure, loud toot. Short spurts for a little rhythm and volume variation help round out a player's repertoire. "Bad vuvu" often involves a lot of effort, but pathetic, music-free results. It just sounds like someone blowing out birthday candles. And there's variation from vuvuzela to vuvuzela. Some require intense tight-lipped blowing, a la a real brass trumpet, while others require a looser, more relaxed approach. The gentleman standing beside me below is my grand master teacher prior to the USA-Slovenia game at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. After I had bought what I believed to be a defective vuvuzela, he heard my bad vuvu and performed an intervention.

After having experienced this year's World Cup, I come down on the side of those who think the vuvuzela is a good thing which adds to the fan experience. It's really cool that you can hear a game before you see it, whether on television or near the stadium. They are versatile; more than just a one-note instrument, they double as a beer funnel or low-impact weapon. Check out these South Africans using it for beverage delivery one day in Durban:

In Polokwane, the Mexicans showed me how to incorporate a vuvuzela into a chant, with a "toot-toot-toot...Mex-i-co" refrain that was effective and festive (I borrowed it for the U-S-A chant the next day). I think vuvuzelas will catch on after the cup in Latin American soccer, but less so in Europe, where songs are integral.

Most of all, vuvuzelas are just plain fun, whether it's being impressed by good vuvu, or laughing at bad vuvu. Viva vuvus!