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Makarapa becomes popular besides vuvuzela at World Cup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-18 16:44

A fan wearing a makarapa smiles prior to a Group D first round match between Germany and Australia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, South Africa, on June 13, 2010. [Xinhua]

JOHANNESBURG - Besides plastic trumpet vuvuzela, fan helmets makarapa also became famous around the world.

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Loyal fans in South Africa do not only wear their team colours and blow vuvuzela loud but also create their own headgear to show their support, which is called makarapa, a word taken from the local word for miner's hard hats.

South African soccer fans used to take the hard hats to the soccer matches to protect their heads against flying objects.

Makarapas, decorated with paintings of favorite teams and special design features the local artists incorporate, are worn by the majority of fans at the World Cup.

John, a makarapa seller at Johannesburg said that a makaraba is sold at a price of about 170 rands to 350 rands (US$25-50) and those fan helmets sell well during World Cup finals.

Portuguese soccer fans attend the national team's training session in Magaliesburg June 16, 2010. [Agencies]