Vuvuzelas, Kuduzelas, Sockzelas, Zazu’s and Other Music Instruments

The FIFA Worldcup 2010 started yesterday (11 June) in the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg and at the time of writing, 3 matches has already been played.

I must admit, I am not a soccer (or for that matter, any other sport) fan, but as a South African citizen, I just had to watch the first match where our Bafana Bafana soccer team played against Mexico.

I was actually shocked by my interest in the game and when Bafana Bafana scored the first goal, I cheered as loudly and proudly as all the fans.

I think if I had a vuvuzela, I even would have blown a few notes… even though the sound this instrument makes, is enough to raise my blood pressure levels considerably.

The yellow tube/horn on the photo is a vuvuzela and you either love it or hate it but this noisemaker is in South Africa to stay for the next 6 weeks and maybe for ever! Like the old adage goes, “if you can’t beat them, join them”.

That is exactly what I did yesterday when I found a virtual vuvuzela online; it was quite a lot of fun to see how long I could blow it.

Here’s the link if you would like to hear what the vuvuzela sounds like: http://www.spitorswallow.co.za/blowme.php

The vuvuzela has quite an interesting history and currently you can buy a few versions of it, for instance, the sockzela… the original vuvuzela covered with a removable fabric sheath, beaded vuvuzelas, the mini blaster or kwakazela… then there is the ZaZu and Kuduzela that looks like the horns of the kudu antelope found in South Africa.

Oh yes, and as with any other great event or party, you also have to wear a hat – you have to have a Makarapa or Makoya on your head before you leave the house… but only if you are going to watch a soccer game… I think…

I can hear you asking yourself what exactly does all these strange sounding names have to do with you planning your kid’s birthday party. In a way quite a lot, because a birthday party absolutely must have music or some kind of noisemaker and there must be party hats for the guests.

Many countries have their own unique music instruments and although it would not be practical to buy these instruments every time you host a birthday party for your child, you and your child can easily make these instruments from discarded materials and bring a “multi-kulti” feeling to the party. I will tell you more in my next post.

Have fun blowing the virtual vuvuzela and also when you plan your kid’s birthday party!