Vuvuzelas - The Fan Favorite

Many first experienced the intensity of vuvuzelas during the 2010 FIFA World Cup when fans used them extensively to support the South African football team. The history of the vuvuzela actually traces back much further in history. Although the musical instrument is quite popular among fans, many tournaments and events banned the vuvuzela after the World Cup due to the instrument's high volume.

The origins of the vuvuzela as it is currently conceived are not certain. The word itself is of South African origin and means "to welcome, unite and celebrate." Kaizer Chiefs, a South African man, claims to have invented the vuvuzela in the 1960s and has photographic evidence from the 1970s to support this claim. Similar horns existed prior to this time, but describing these with the term "vuvuzela" and using it in the context of a sporting event does seem to trace back to Chiefs.

At the 2010 World Cup, so many fans used vuvuzelas at such high volumes that concerns developed regarding the health of spectators, the performance abilities of the football players and the ability to broadcast the games. Because of these negative effects on the World Cup, most major sporting events now ban such instruments. Some stadiums make exceptions to this ban, including some English Premiere League stadiums.