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June 30, 2010

Vuvuzela - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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A red vuvuzela.

A black and yellow striped vuvuzela.
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A standard short 58 cm (1.90 ft) vuvuzela plays a single B♭ note.
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The vuvuzela (English pronunciation: /vuːvuːˈzeɪlə/), also known as lepatata (its Tswana name) is typically a 65 cm (2.13 ft) plastic blowing horn that produces a loud, distinctive monotone note, typically around B♭3[1] (the B♭ below middle C).[2] A similar instrument, 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.[3] The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and pressure exerted.[3]

Traditionally made and inspired from a kudu horn, the vuvuzela was used to summon distant villagers to attend community gatherings.[4][dubious – discuss] The vuvuzela is most used at soccer matches in South Africa,[5] 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.[4] 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.[4]

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,[6] with a sound pressure of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 metre (3.3 ft) from the horn opening.[4]

Contents

Origin

The origin of the term vuvuzela is disputed but was first used in South Africa from the Zulu language or Nguni dialect meaning to make a vuvu sound (directly translated: vuvu-ing). 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.[7] Plastics factory Masincedane Sport popularised the ubiquitous plastic vuvuzela commonly heard at South African football games in 2002,[8] and the Nazareth Baptist Church claimed the vuvuzela belonged to their church.[9]

Use at international tournaments

The world soccer governing body, FIFA, proposed to ban vuvuzelas from stadiums, as they were seen as potential weapons for hooligans and could be used in ambush marketing. Columnist Jon Qwelane described the instrument as "an instrument from hell".[10] South African soccer authorities argued that the vuvuzela was part of the South African soccer experience.[11] The Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso said, "Those trumpets? That noise I don't like ... FIFA must ban those things ... it is not nice to have a noise like that".[12] 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".[13] Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk remarked, "... it was annoying ... in the stadiums you get used to it but it is still unpleasant".[14] 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".[14][13] Despite the criticisms, FIFA agreed to permit their use in stadiums during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.[15]

2010 FIFA World Cup

Children blowing vuvuzelas.

Marketing

Hyundai constructed the world's largest working vuvuzela as part of a marketing campaign for the World Cup. The 35 metres (115 ft) blue vuvuzela in Cape Town was intended to be used at the beginning of each match; however, it had not yet sounded a note during the World Cup as its volume was a cause of concern to city authorities.[16]

Reception

The constant use of vuvuzelas during the World Cup introduced problems and criticism that resulted in the pursuit of solutions to communication difficulties and health concerns. These issues prompted the exploration of possibilities to reduce the noise levels and also considerations to ban vuvuzelas during matches.[17][18]

Some vuvuzelas carry a safety warning graphic.

Broadcasting organisations, such as UK's BBC and the American ESPN, experienced difficulties hearing the commentators' voices as they were drowned by the sound.[19][20][21] Viewers heard only the sounds of the vuvuzelas.[22] The BBC and ESPN both examined the possibility of filtering the ambient noise while maintaining game commentary.[20][19]

The vuvuzelas raised health and safety concerns. Competitors believed the incessant noise hampered the ability of the players to get their rest, and degraded the quality of team performance.[23][24] Other critics remarked that the vuvuzelas caused the degradation of team communication and concentration during matches.[25][26] Demand for earplugs to protect from hearing loss during the World Cup outstripped supply, with many pharmacies out of stock.[27] A vuvuzela manufacturer began selling earplugs to spectators.[28]

Audio filtration

Notch filtering, an audio filtration technique, is proposed to reduce the vuvuzela sound in broadcasts and increase clarity of commentary audio. The vuvuzela produces notes at a frequency of approximately 235Hz and its first partial at 465Hz.[29] However, this filtration technique affects the clarity of commentary audio. The publication of adaptive filters by universities and organisations address this issue by preserving the amplitude and clarity of the commentators' voices and crowd noise.[30][31][32][33] Such filtration techniques have been adopted by some cable television providers.[34]

Medical effects and regulation

The use of vuvuzelas by so many supporters has attracted controversy.

Health concerns

A study by Dr Ruth McNerney of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and colleagues, concluded that the spread of diseases by means of vuvuzelas was possible.[35] Mcnerney found tiny droplets at the bottom of a vuvuzela which can carry flu and cold germs that are small enough to stay suspended in the air for hours, and can enter into the airways of a person's lungs. The vuvuzelas can infect others on a greater scale than coughing or shouting.

The vuvuzelas have the potential to cause noise-induced hearing loss.[3][4][6][35] Prof James Hall III, Dr Dirk Koekemoer, De Wet Swanepoel and colleagues at the University of Pretoria found that the vuvuzelas can have negative effects on people's eardrums when exposed to the high-intensity sound for a certain amount of time. The vuvuzelas produce an average sound pressure of 113 dB(A) at 2 metres (6.6 ft) from the horn opening.[4] The study finds that subjects should not be exposed to more than 15 minutes per day at an intensity of 100 dB(A).[4] The study assumes that if a single vuvuzela emits a sound that is dangerously loud to subjects within a 2 metre radius, and numerous vuvuzelas are typically blown together for the duration of a match, it may put spectators at a significant risk of hearing loss.[4] A newer model has a modified mouthpiece that reduces the volume by 20 dB.[36]

Noise levels and bans

Concerns about the constant intensities produced by the vuvuzelas during the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches were raised independently by representatives of international football teams, spectators and sports commentators. The noise levels that were demonstrated during the 2010 FIFA World Cup prompted sporting organisations to ban the vuvuzela at future events, including all sporting matches at the Cardiff City, SWALEC and Millennium Stadiums,[37] Wimbledon,[38] the Melbourne Cricket Ground[39] and Yankee Stadium.[40]

References in popular culture

  • American television network Adult Swim broadcasted the buzzing of vuvuzelas in the background of several bumps and promotional presentations. The network also broadcasted a 15 second clip of only the buzzing of vuvuzelas for a week.[41]
  • YouTube installed a vuvuzela button next to some videos on June 23, 2010. When clicked, the buzzing of vuvuzelas plays in loop over the video's audio.[42]

See also

  • Makarapa - a hand-made hat worn by spectators to show their team support
  • Handy horn - a portable or personal horn similar to the vuvuzela
  • Thundersticks - narrow plastic balloons that are used as promotional noise makers

References

  1. ^ "10 things about the vuvuzela". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. June 15, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/10312794.stm. 
  2. ^ Queen Mary College University of London (June 18, 2010). "Trumping the trumpets: how audio engineering helps tone down vuvuzela disruption". Press release. http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/se/30760.html. 
  3. ^ a b c Swanepoel, De Wet; Hall III, James W; Koekemoer, Dirk (April 2010). "Vuvuzela sound measurements" (PDF). South African Medical Journal (Cape Town, South Africa) 100 (4): 192. http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/viewFile/4098/2735. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Swanepoel, De Wet; Hall III, James W; Koekemoer, Dirk (February 2010). "Vuvuzela – good for your team, bad for your ears" (PDF). South African Medical Journal (Cape Town, South Africa) 100 (4): 99–100. http://www.scielo.org.za/pdf/samj/v100n2/v100n2a15.pdf. 
  5. ^ "V is for Vuvuzela". Fédération Internationale de Football Association. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/southafricafromatoz/letter=v/index.html. Retrieved September 9, 2008. 
  6. ^ a b Swanepoel, D Wet; Hall III, James W (April 2010). "Football match spectator sound exposure and effect on hearing: A pretest-post-test study". South African Medical Journal (Cape Town, South Africa) 100 (4). http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-95742010000400024&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en. 
  7. ^ Moyo, Phathisani (January 8, 2010). "Vuvuzela creator blown off?". Mail & Guardian (South Africa). http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-01-08-vuvuzela-creator-blown-off. 
  8. ^ Casert, Raf (June 18, 2010). "Vuvuzela innovator cashes in on success at WCup". Associated Press (Yahoo! Inc). http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/vuvuzela-inventor-cashes-in-on-success-at-wcup--fbintl_ap-wcup-vuvuzela.html. 
  9. ^ Fisher, Jonah (16 January 2010). "Unholy row over World Cup trumpet". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8458829.stm. Retrieved January 16, 2010. 
  10. ^ Qwelane, Jon (February 7, 2005). "Ban the vuvuzela". News24 (South Africa: 24.com). http://www.news24.com/Columnists/Archive/JonQwelane/Ban-the-vuvuzela-20050207. 
  11. ^ Makhaye, Chris (July 13, 2008). "Blasts of joy as vuvuzelas unbanned". IOL. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=2871&art_id=vn20080713120228203C272609. 
  12. ^ "Ban the noisy vuvuzela, says Alonso". Cape Argus (Cape Argus & Independent Online). June 18, 2009. http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5041732. 
  13. ^ a b Mungazi, Farayi (June 19, 2009). "In defence of the vuvuzela". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8108691.stm. Retrieved June 14, 2010. 
  14. ^ a b "Dutch coach joins chorus to ban vuvuzela". ESPNsoccernet. Reuters (Walt Disney Internet Group). June 20, 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656178&sec=global&cc=5901. Retrieved June 20, 2009. 
  15. ^ "Fifa gives Vuvuzelas thumbs up". News24. South African Press Association (South Africa: 24.com). July 11, 2008. http://www.news24.com/xArchive/Sport/SWC2010/Fifa-gives-Vuvuzelas-thumbs-up-20080711. 
  16. ^ Hudson, Alexandra (June 18, 2010). "Giant vuvuzela waits for council go-ahead to toot". Reuters Africa. Thomson Reuters Corporate. http://af.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idAFJOE65H0MC20100618. Retrieved June 19, 2010. 
  17. ^ Schy, Steve (June 14, 2010). "Noisy Vuvuzelas Cause Concern at World Cup". Voice of America. Washington, DC, United States of America: Federal Government of the United States. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Noisy-Vuvuzelas-Cause-Concern-at-World-Cup-96305284.html. Retrieved June 18, 2010. 
  18. ^ "Organizers consider silencing vuvuzelas". ESPNsoccernet. Walt Disney Internet Group. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5282269/ce/us/organizers-consider-silencing-vuvuzelas&cc=5901?ver=us. Retrieved June 14, 2010. 
  19. ^ a b "BBC receives 545 vuvuzela complaints over World Cup". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. June 15, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10317767.stm. Retrieved June 15, 2010. 
  20. ^ a b "Host broadcasters to 'filter' noise". ESPNsoccernet. Associated Press (Walt Disney Internet Group). June 15, 2010. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5287552/ce/us/bbc-mulls-vuvuzela-free-option-viewers?cc=5901&ver=us. 
  21. ^ "BBC mulls vuvuzela-free option for irked viewers". Associated Press. Yahoo! Inc. June 15, 2010. http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=txwcupvuvuzelasbbc. Retrieved June 17, 2010. 
  22. ^ Valenti, Elio (June 13, 2010). "Buzz off, vuvuzelas!". New York Post (NYP Holdings, Inc). http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/buzz_off_vuvuzelas_FPa9BYlmlRWJMsF1W65cyJ?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=. 
  23. ^ "World Cup 2010: Organisers will not ban vuvuzelas". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). June 13, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8737455.stm. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  24. ^ "World Cup organiser mulls vuvuzela ban". Agence France-Presse. Google. June 13, 2010. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ghUbctrzM88GqP_A_qJZppPbhjVw. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  25. ^ "It is impossible to communicate, it’s like being deaf: Messi". Deutsche Presse-Agentur. The Hindu. http://beta.thehindu.com/sport/football/article454621.ece. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  26. ^ "Ronaldo hits out at vuvuzelas". Netherlands National News, Agence France-Presse. Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. http://www.rnw.nl/international-justice/bulletin/ronaldo-hits-out-vuvuzelas. Retrieved June 13, 2010. 
  27. ^ Chilwane, Luphert (June 11, 2010). "Worried fans right to seek ear plugs, says Phonak". BusinessDay (BDFM Publishers). http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=111728. Retrieved June 15, 2010. 
  28. ^ "Vuvuzelas unplugged for some". Sport24 (South Africa: 24.com). June 11, 2010. http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/WorldCup/NationalNews/Vuvuzelas-unplugged-for-some-20100611. 
  29. ^ Pash, Adam (June 15, 2010). "How to Silence Vuvuzela Horns in World Cup Broadcasts". Lifehacker. Gawker Media. http://lifehacker.com/5564085/how-to-silence-vuvuzela-horns-with-an-eq-filter. Retrieved June 17, 2010. 
  30. ^ Drury, Jim (June 18, 2010). ""Devuvuzelator" reduces horn's noise" (Video). Reuters (United Kingdom: Thomson Reuters). http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=104615671&videoChannel=2602. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  31. ^ Queen Mary University of London (June 18, 2010). "Trumping the trumpets: how audio engineering helps tone down vuvuzela disruption". Press release. http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/se/30760.html. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  32. ^ "Prosoniq VuvuX". Prosoniq Products Software GmbH. http://vuvux.com/. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  33. ^ Bargmann, Jeff; University of London, Queen Mary. "The Devuvuzelator". Stardock Corporation. http://www.stardock.com/labs/devuvuzelator/. Retrieved June 21, 2010. 
  34. ^ Ballve, Marcelo (June 17, 2010). ""Portuguese cable provider offers vuvuzela muting service for World Cup games"". True/Slant (Forbes). http://trueslant.com/marceloballve/2010/06/17/portuguese-cable-provider-offers-vuvuzela-muting-service-for-world-cup-games/. 
  35. ^ a b Snyman, Mia (June 10, 2010). "Study: Vuvuzela could spread colds and flu". Associated Press. Google. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i8urs7EHo1bO0nBhFxxPOGEd6JtAD9G8H9L00. Retrieved June 11, 2010. 
  36. ^ "New vuvuzelas turn down volume". Sport24 (South Africa: 24.com). June 14, 2010. http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/WorldCup/NationalNews/New-vuvuzelas-turn-down-volume-20100614. Retrieved June 14, 2010. 
  37. ^ "Sports fans in Cardiff spared vuvuzela". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). June 18, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east_wales/10353020.stm. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
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