In defence of the vuvuzela

CAPE TOWN - United Kingdom websites are abuzz with comments from irate football fans who complain about the blowing of the Vuvuzela during matches of the Fifa World Cup in South Africa. The vast majority of these comments call for the banning of the instrument from stadiums. Sensitive British football fans (if that is not a contradiction in terms) complain about the noise, which they claim is so loud and irritating that it becomes impossible to watch a game with the sound on the television turned up.

Africans are known for their singing and dancing, some claim, but this is now all drowned out by the incessant noise from Vuvuzela's. The background noise to the world cup has become the sound of  a huge swarm of bees. This spoils the atmosphere of the football game as one can hardly hear the fans cheering and singing.

In any case, this would never have been allowed at any Football World Cup organized in Europe, so why allow it in South Africa? It is just plain rude to make such a racket when the whole world is watching. This is just not how things are done in Europe, where TV viewers are used to the atmosphere provided by the singing, chanting and shouting of the spectators. The Vuvuzela is spoiling the whole world cup for Europeans!

Now, I am not sure if I am watching the same television feed as the British, but the claim that the noise made by Vuvuzela's at football games is so loud that it makes it impossible to watch the game on television with the sound turned on seems just plain ridiculous. At most it provides a background noise which might be monotonous but surely is not ear-splitting. So, why are so many people so upset?

Of course, the critics are entitled to express their dislike of the soundtrack to the 2010 World Cup. Let's face it, that buzzing noise is not the most musical or attractive sound that human kind is capable of producing, and expressing a dislike for the Vuvuzela is therefore perfectly understandable. Personally I have come to love the whole Vuvuzela thing - especially the vibe it generates when one is there at the match oneself  - but I understand that, like olives or blue cheese, this is an acquired taste not shared by all.

But something about the tenor of all these complaints have gotten up my nose. Maybe I am overtly sensitive or maybe I am intellectualizing something that is no more than a personal preference, but I smell more than a whiff of cultural imperialism in much of the criticism of our beloved Vuvuzela.

It seems to me what underlies much of the criticism, is a set of rather problematic assumptions.

First, much of the criticism seems to assume that the norm of what should be acceptable (and therefore permissible), must be based on what happens in Europe. "This is how we do it in Europe. We know best and always have. Therefore you must follow our example like good imperial subjects to demonstrate to us that you are also civilized and up to our standards."

This rather blinkered and prejudiced lack of respect for difference suggests that many critics of the Vuvuzela labour under a false sense of cultural superiority. They view their cultural and social beliefs and practices as the undisputed norm to which all others must conform, without any understanding of, or respect for, the multitude of ways in which different societies and people might have chosen different ways of being in the world. This is the very essence of cultural imperialism.

Second, all the talk about Africans being such good singers and dancers and complaints that viewers are missing out on this because of the Vuvuzela, plays on a racial stereotype. It is as if, having been exposed to stereotypical images of the happy dancing and singing natives, some of the critics cannot come to grips with a very different narrative of what South Africa is all about. What they want, perhaps, is for all of us to sing and dance and smile - just like the performers in Ipi Tombi and Umoja who have been entertaining the baas in theaters in the West End for many years.

Now we have the cheek not to conform to the stereotypes they have been expecting to have confirmed. Instead, we have taken to this cheap, plastic trumpet (for better or for worse) and have made it the soundtrack to the Soccer World Cup - which is really their Soccer World Cup - and thus have shown an agency and an independence of mind and spirit which we as the erstwhile colonized are not supposed to possess.

In the process, we have taken something away from them - their World Cup experience as they want it! - and made it into something slightly different. We are not playing by the rules, which dictate that we should be grateful for having been selected to host the World Cup and we should consequently make sure that we provide a World Cup experience to Europeans as close as possible to what they are used to and what they expect.

Sadly I suspect it is not much use to point out the cultural imperialism underlying some of the criticism of the Vuvuzela. If one is so deep in denial about one's own prejudices, and so blind to the fact that one is embedded in (and to some extent a prisoner of) a particular culture, it is difficult to accept that one's own views and normative commitments are not universal and inherently superior truths handed down by God, but merely one of many ways of making sense of the world.

Maybe it's better to laugh and shrug one's shoulders - while putting some extra effort into blowing your Vuvuzela as loud as possible.

Pierre de Vos is the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional Governance at the University of Cape Town. This article first appeared on the Constitutionally Speaking weblog.

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter

Services Subscribe to newsletters News feeds Share this article Facebook Google Laaik.it Yahoo! Digg del.icio.us

Comments

If you come across comments that are injurious, defamatory, profane, off-topic or inappropriate; contain personal attacks or racist, sexist, homophobic, or other slurs, please report them and they will be removed.

 

responses to this article

Bagpipes? Now those sound pretty K** if you ask me! by robericom on June 16 2010, 15:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

the weapon of world cup destruction If one follows the postings on the wall of the facebook campaign : "FIFA, ban the annoying vuvzela (horn) from the football world cup" , one will find excactly what the author is describing. Criticism is coming from all over, not just the erstwhile . .more colonial masters. The campaign has grown quite fast in a few days to about 200 000 members, and a surprising number of fans are willing to declare this World Cup 'the worst ever', after 6 days of play. Unfortunately South Africa is getting a lot of negative publicity, whereas the matter of banning the vuvuzela from stadiums falls under FIFA jurisdiction. . .less by arnaud on June 16 2010, 17:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The BBC got 500 complaints If one assumes that only 1 in 1000 people actually make the effort to officially place a complaint then that is 500,000 unhappy TV viewers in the UK alone. I know I am certainly rationing my viewing to essential matches - my wife can't stand having it on . .more in the background so casual viewing becomes a no no. The matches are not for the stadium spectators. It is for the world TV viewers. The footballers play according to set rules - they are used to verbally communicating with each other. We are preventing that plus we are making the viewing experience unpleasant for millions of world viewers. All so some company that hyped up the plastic trumpet as a cultural experience can get rich. This thing has not been thought out properly and is biting this World Cup in the hand big time. . .less by Sad Days on June 16 2010, 18:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Hahahaha utter nonsense What a laughable piece, European impierliasm.....hahaha, someones overlay paranoid. That bloody trumpet doing everyones head in......not because I feel intellectually better than you, (mr everybody is out to get us) but simply the noise is so irritating I . .more have taken to watching with the sound down, ruining the atmosphere and essentially spoiling the world cup. For a lot of people.....go and toot your trumpet on that. . .less by John H on June 16 2010, 19:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

cultural imperialism ? Pierre de Vos writes: "Of course, the critics are entitled to express their dislike of the soundtrack to the 2010 World Cup. Let's face it, that buzzing noise is not the most musical or attractive sound that humankind is capable of producing, & . .more expressing a dislike for the Vuvuzela is therefore perfectly understandable. Personally I have come to love the whole Vuvuzela thing - ... - but I understand that, like olives or blue cheese, this is an acquired taste not shared by all". "But..." then follows an academic delivery of the race card. Here's a random sample of clips from above article - - the very essence of cultural imperialism, - point out the cultural imperialism underlying some of the criticism of the Vuvuzela, - independence of mind & spirit which we as the erstwhile colonized are not supposed to possess, Concluded with the middle finger final words - "Maybe it's better to laugh & shrug one's shoulders - while putting extra effort into blowing ur Vuvuzela as loud as possible". So, Pierre de Vos, whilst u accept the entitlement of critics to express dislike of the non-stop Vuvuzela soundtrack to WC2010, if they do so you paint them cultural imperial colonialists ? No Pierre, not a "deep denial about anyone's prejudices", but for some - the noise annoys ! Deep breaths, calm thoughts, shhhh ! . .less by John Austin on June 16 2010, 22:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

laugh a minute One of his worst posts ever by voter on June 17 2010, 06:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

time to reconsider Now that South Africa are almost certainly out of the WC maybe Mr Blatter will reconsider by amused on June 17 2010, 07:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vuvu May someone blow a vuvuzela right into his ear for 90 minutes without stopping. May he be fitted with the hearing aid of his choice and at his expense after enduring the experience. Gee, why are there laws against noise above a certain decible level, or . .more is that just a case of cultural imperialism? The vuvuzela is nothing more than a crude example of rudeness and discourtesy. If one's neigbour complains about the noise that one is making, is the appropriate response, "tough sh-t, get ear plugs?" Not in a civilised society it isn't. . .less by Steve Weiss on June 17 2010, 07:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

paralyzed Pierre you seem to be paralyzed by white guilt. In your blog you voiced your anger about name changes in Cape Town not happening fast enough, but say nothing when a brand new airport and stadium are named after Shaka Zulu and Peter Mokaba. What did FIFA . .more think was going to happen with the vuvuzela, ofcourse people were going to complain, it is completely understandable and has nothing to do with cultural imperialism. There many non-european's who are also complaining e.g. native americans. I also hardly believe that you would still appreciate the vuvuzela's "local flavour" much when sitting at a small room in a shebeen with 20 people blowing into your ear for 4 hours, and also doubt you are blowing it yourself. The sound is probably OK for someone watching the odd game at low volume but many football supporters really feast on this world cup, watching many games in surround sound and I can assure you the vuvuzela is then not just slightly irritating. Furthermore they are harmful to your health, spread germs & damage hearing, and what about fellow supporters rights to that? Please stop bending over backwards for everything "cultural" (which again can be argued to be not cultural at all) and be reasonable. . .less by junebug on June 17 2010, 07:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

pierre I may be wrong here but I feel I have to say this (singe you are using phrases like "cultural imperialism"). Pierre it seems you have deep emotional scars about being vilified for being homosexual by afrikaans people. I have also been vilified by hard . .more right afrikaans people in the past for not conforming to Christianity and being atheist, which was very painful. It seems that you apply logic and reason completely ad hoc. When it comes to a clear cut case where you know this instrument is harmful and people (who really love the world cup) voice their frustration you jump to imperialism. Everyone in the world originally stems from Africa, we have the same ancient ancestry, and if it was those who stayed behind in Africa who developed faster (due to domestic crops, animals and climate), they would have colonized Europe and Asia. I'm just saying, don't debate from your hate. . .less by lrunber on June 17 2010, 08:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Its not a trumpet! The definition of a trumpet is "the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. They are constructed of brass tubing bent twice into an oblong shape, and have either three piston valves or three rotary valves. Each valve increases . .more the length of tubing when engaged, thereby lowering the pitch. The trumpet is used in many forms of music, including classical music and jazz." That highly irritating plastic tube is most certainly nothing like the majestic brass instrument it is compared to. . .less by M Holland on June 17 2010, 08:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Something for France to consider The more goals scored against Bafana, the quieter it gets ... by Sad Days on June 17 2010, 08:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Exactly Dear Prof De Vos This is the best analysis of the critism of the Vuvuzela I have ever read. It is cultural imperialism indeed. at first we were not worthy of hosting the FIFA world cup and now we must conform to what the british want. Nonsense. . .more I grew up with all the games on TV having the Vuvuzela noise on the background and this has not bothered me. It is worse that this morning it is reported that the best sales of the Vuvuzela were in the UK, 2 every minute. let the loop K** maan. . .less by Chris Swepu on June 17 2010, 09:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@de Vos Ja-nee, ons het jou altevore hoor kraai jou ou draadsitter. n Mens kan arm van gees wees maar sekere groepe is arm aan kultuur daarom word wit tekkies en n stuk plastiek sommer nou aan gegryp en aan die wereld verkondig dit is kultuur. by Koos on June 17 2010, 09:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Its an insult to musical instruments and an assault on our senses I posted on Facebook that the very next time an assh... blasts one of these objectionable objects in my ear in a shopping centre, the incident will make front page news as it will have to be surgically removed from a certain oriface. 'Feel it, trust . .more me, when I'm finished with him he would have 'felt it'. A friend commented: 'I wonder what would it sound like if he farted.........?' I went back and said: 'A darn side more musical, that's for sure'. I'm no an Imperialist, just a born and bred South African....................... . .less by Utter nonsense on June 17 2010, 09:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

say what @ Swepu......where do you get...."we must conform to what the british want".......people from every country all around the world are complaining about this monstrosity. You live in a very tiny country in a very big world by voter on June 17 2010, 10:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vuvuzela As a life long English football supporter and now resident in SA it has in my experience anyway of big matches, that much of the huge atmosphere and enjoyment, is the reaction of the crowd and the noise and or singing and chanting that the crowd makes. . .more The Hamden roar and the Kop in Liverpool are typical. Just about the only acceptional departure from this is the Spanish brass band and the drums of Brazil but these never get in the way of crowd noise. The vuvuzela is tuneless and is therefor an interruption to this aspect of the game. In any event for an eminent academic to support such a racket he must surely be promoting a debate for the sake of it. The vuvuzela apparently makes a noise which damages the human hearing and the fact that in general the noise is perpetrated by those who are least able to pay for hearing aids makes the debate even less acceptable in a third world country. . .less by Robin Africa on June 17 2010, 10:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

We chose to play their game In essence you are right that there are standards which are linked with global progress and those eminate substantually from Europe. Africa is bedazzled by the rewards of such progress without wanting to earning them. If you don't want to play their . .more way, you don't have to play their game; generate our own game ! We seam to think that international rules don't apply to us; we don't have to repay loans; we can enter a person of indeterminate gender in a woman's race; we can drive unroadworth taxis; etc. But most galling is the celebration of the Vuvuzela as part of our culture, while it's origins are the theft of air horns from trains. . .less by Tristan on June 17 2010, 11:18 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Politically correct a*ss kissing at its worst Prof de Vos is clearly one of those tearful liberals who cannot be happy unless he is wracked by guilt about being white. Get a life, f*ggot! by Afrikaner on June 17 2010, 11:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Let this be the beginning of a new tradition ......... not. Pierre, how about we pass this 'tradition' on to the next generation hey. A 'hearing impaired generation will surely express their heartfelt gratitude to us (and FIFA) for the rest of their lives and pass the tradition on to the next generation who . .more will probably be a totally deaf one.........? Maybe FIFA actually has business interests in the Audiology and Hearing Aid Fitment sector - wouldn't surprise me in the least. They are probably busy working on a hearing aid franchise to coincide with the next World Cup, as we speak. . .less by Sorry I can't hear you on June 17 2010, 11:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cultural Imperialism? Since when is the vuvuzela part of South African culture? Last year? Ag nee wat ou Pierrie man. It's a marketing campaign. Very successful one too, taking a whole nation for a ride. by Pieter Schoombee on June 17 2010, 11:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

SA Identity Both @Swepu and Pierre de Vos are behaving just like the old Nats when the country was criticised for, you know little things like apartheid. The answer was always that we are South Africans and know what is best, and you don't live here so you cannot . .more criticise or have a valid opinion. Gosh, the cultural norms run deep. . .less by JOHN KALALA on June 17 2010, 11:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Good piece I don't profess to being a 'prog' or tree hugging liberal but the racial ideologies being expressed apropos the vuvuzela are crystal clear. Well said Pierre. by Bruce on June 17 2010, 13:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The decision makers have created a monster Allowing the blatant, unrestricted use of this provenly damaging 'instrument' has created a monster that is going to 'bite us in the A**' in time to come. There will literally have to be parliamentary discussion, including medical reports from doctors . .more and audiologists, and changes in the law to repair the damage done. We already have a 'national attitude' of disrespect and disregard for others and how entrenched this attitude has become with: 'I have the right to make as much noise as I want wherever and whenever I want, and there's st.ff all you can do about it'. Well done FIFA - we are so glad to have hosted the 2010 World Cup.................. how about offering ticket buyers free earplugs at least, or hearing aid discounts next world cup. . .less by Time will tell on June 17 2010, 13:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I have a plan Once the World Cup is over, and i'm counting the days, have a period of amnesty whereby all South African citizens can hand their offensive weapons of torture over to the authorities. No citizen who complies will be penalised. On the otherhand, those . .more who do not comply will be incarcerated and have 24 hour, stadium noise level vuvuuuuuing fed into their cells for a period of 31 days, or less should he sign a full confession stating the number of vuvuzelas he ownes and where they can be found. (no worries after the 31 day period, he will gladly destroy them and himself, if he's managed to survive) The authorities (with the endorsment of FIFA, at a charge) can pronounce a national public holiday and televise the lighting of the massive bonfire which will be used to incinerate the nations weapons of mass destruction, and a noisless celebration can be enjoyed by all afterwards ........... . .less by Vuvzela amnesty on June 17 2010, 13:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

who do you sue ? You somewhat miss the point. These things can lead to permanent loss of hearing after 15 mins exposure . I bought my own "MY BLOED IS BLOU " vuvu in Orlando . I had earache for 4 days after the Bulls game and my ears are still hurting after I attended the . .more Portugal match on Tuesday. . .less by sc on June 17 2010, 14:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pierie P******* lot, the vuvuzela is here to stay, and defines our world cup in Mzantsi, you can moan and get grey hairs it is here, get used to it. by Mmina-Shoro on June 17 2010, 14:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This has to be the Ultimate Stereotype! So, because I dislike the sound of thousands of vuvuzelas I am a cultural imperialist racist???? U gotta be joking Mr de Vos. Grow an intellect, man! by Saffer on June 17 2010, 14:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vuvuzelas Obviously many missed Cart Blanche last Sunday. The host said earplugs were banned by FIFA as the organisation that manufactured them was not party to a FIFA approval. Just another case of FIFA's dictatorship. by Buster on June 17 2010, 15:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Thanks for the heads up Buster How disgusting? And we, nation of morons that we are, fall for the whole vuvuzella hype risking something as precious and irreplaceable as our hearing so that an organisation like FIFA can make as much money out of us possible!!! Every short term . .more pleasure has a long term consequence. The enjoyment of the 'blast' now is going to have long term consequences - our weak national health care service can barely cope with the needs of our prem babies, never mind handle the needs of thousands of hearing impaired people (ask any deaf person whether they've managed to acquire a hearing aid from our national health service...... what a joke), and our over burdened teachers who battle to 'pass' hearing kids, are going to have to struggle with thousands of hearing impaired children. Will FIFA care? Who will the vuvuzella blasting morons blame? . .less by Not surprised on June 17 2010, 16:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Jimmel Pierre Daai lawaaimaker is deur ene Steenkamp 7 jaar terug op die mark gebring. Wil jy nou vir ons vertel dis "ingeburgerde kultuur". Al van noise polution gehoor? Klassieke geval. Maar ek skat dis 'n alte gerieflike ou sambokkie om die Engelse by te kom vir . .more "kultuur imperialisme". Wat van dood eenvoudige selfsug? Die Wêreldbeker is nie iets vir almal nie, maar NET vir Suid.Afrikaners. Reg? Wat is die punt dan dat SA die gasheer rol oorgeneem het? . .less by Voelvry on June 17 2010, 17:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A very sensible reply from a man who can always be counted on for sensible advice! by Alto on June 17 2010, 17:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vivazulus There was a black African young woman on the radio the other morning, saying she had been to a match, and the 2 days later she couldn't answer the phone because of the pain in her ears. She was also still hearing the sound of the vuvuzelas in her ears. . .more She didn't seem to agree that it was a wonderful culutural accoutrement. Then again she may just have been a "cultural imperialist". @Afrikaner, re: "Get a life, f*ggot!" You obviously have no culture at all. . .less by Jeff on June 17 2010, 19:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@John Austin First read this article in this morning's Cape Times. Was going to write a reply along the lines of your post here. I don't understand why all criticism has to be turned into a case of imperialism or racism. This horn has only been mass produced over . .more the last few years, so anyone claiming to have grown up with it at soccer matches must be very young indeed, maybe in Grade one or two. Where the idea comes from that this is a cultural and traditional custom is bulls**t. Now I understand how the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. . .less by Jeff on June 17 2010, 19:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Making a mountain out of a molehill? Gawd! Talk of using a steamroller to crack a nut! It seems to me de Vos is the kind of person who enjoys a really good bout of righteous anger accompanied by an equally outrageous outburst of mindless rant. I'm a good South African "in murg . .more en been" with no pretensions to cultural imperialism, and I think the vuvuzela is a silly toy best for toddlers to play with. The noise these things make en masse is unbearable, and I'm glad I'm not much of a soccer fan, so there will be no need for me to submit my ears to fury of the vuvus in full cry at a stadium. It's really a matter of personal choice. Pierre would do well to heed his own observation (below) before making a real fool of himself again : "If one is so deep in denial about one's own prejudices, and so blind to the fact that one is embedded in (and to some extent a prisoner of) a particular culture, it is difficult to accept that one's own views and normative commitments are not universal and inherently superior truths handed down by God, but merely one of many ways of making sense of the world." Pierre LOVES hating Europeans! Capiche? . .less by mpho on June 17 2010, 20:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

When you are in Rome, you must do like the Romans. I have seen our foriegn visitors here in Gauteng and at the OR TAMBO airport blowing the vuvuzela's like there is no other day, the majority of our foriegn visitors are loving the sound of vuvuzela, the British are always undermining us and we must not . .more amuse their nonsensical critics.. We will continue blowing them!! . .less by Louis xvii on June 17 2010, 20:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Louis xvii Yeah, by all means have fun blowing your vuvu; I bought my little kid one too; small things amuse small minds. by fuzz on June 17 2010, 22:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ fuzz So what do you suggest, that I am small minded ? by Louis xvii on June 18 2010, 01:38 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vuvuzelas are not atmosphere. A totally nonsense article. Fans watching on TV around the world want to see atmosphere and interchange between rival fans at the ground. This has totally been lost because of the monotonous drone of the vuvuzelas. This is what we want to see from . .more African fans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYIYBDf_M_Q&feature=related A million times better and more ultural than the plastic horn. . .less by For a Better World Cup on June 18 2010, 04:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Oh the Irony ..... Actually, the assault of a thousand vuvuzelas arguably fits the definition of 'Cultural Imperialism'. by Saffer on June 18 2010, 05:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vuvuzelas @Louis xvii. The main reason that foreigners enthusiastically blow these horns over here is that it is not permitted anywhere else in the world by noise pollution legislation and common sense. It is done as a lark and then discarded. However, . .more it is good that this aspect of "African" culture is given so much prominence, the rest of the world were always kept in the dark (pardon the pun) about how primitive the negroid peoples really are. . .less by Jacko on June 19 2010, 11:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Name
Subject
Comment