I would like to describe some typical aspects of Argentine culture. Mate, tango, men and football, Argentine women and our obsession with being thin, etc

Football chants/Los cantitos de la hinchada

Football chants are repetitive chants generated by the crowd at football (soccer) matches, particularly professional ones. Throughout Europe and Latin America it is considered normal for the supporters to spend much of their time shouting at the players, opposing spectators, the referee, or just the world in general. They are intended to encourage the supporters' team, insult the opposition, or just to make noise.

The chants themselves can vary enormously, from the simple and repetitive to the topical and complex, encompassing tradition and vulgarity. An example of simple, though proud chanting is the Brazilian chant, sung by the fans at World Cup matches: "Eu sou brasileiro, com muito orgulho, com muito amor" (I am Brazilian, with a lot of pride, with a lot of love). They frequently contain vulgar or antagonistic lyrics; many of them would not be acceptable in a number of situations outside of a football stadium, and as long as the chants are not used outside of football, they are tolerated. Football chants generally contribute to fans' enjoyment of a game and its atmosphere, and are an integral part of football culture. They are also known as terrace chants - a terrace being the old standing areas in football grounds used until the 1990s in top-level football. Terraces are still used in lower league football where crowds and stands are smaller.

Two samples:

1) One of River Plate's most common chants

2) Manchester United's Glory Glory

Posted by: mabelquiroga at February 20, 2007 09:33 | link | comments (3)
football, argentine culture, football chants